Local contraction of flexible bodies using balloon expansion for extension-contraction catheter articulation and other uses

ABSTRACT

Articulation devices, systems, and methods for articulating elongate flexible structures can locally contract a flexible elongate frame or skeleton of an elongate flexible body such as a catheter. Balloons along one side of an axial segment of the elongate flexible body can be inflated so as to help define a resting shape of the elongate body. The skeleton may have pairs of corresponding axially oriented surface regions coupled to each other by a loop of a deformable helical coil structure. Balloons may be between the regions, and the pairs may be separated by an offset that increases when the axis of the skeleton is axially compressed. Inflation of the balloons can axially contract or shorten the skeleton adjacent the balloons so that the elongate body bends toward the balloons. Different sets of balloons may apply opposing local axial elongation and contraction forces so that selective inflation and deflation of subsets of the balloons can controllably bend and/or change an overall axial length of the elongate body throughout a workspace. Varying the inflation pressures of the opposed balloons can controllably and locally modulate the stiffness of the elongate body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority from co-assigned U.S. Provisional Patent App. Nos. 62/296,409, filed on Feb. 17, 2016, entitled “LOCAL CONTRACTION OF FLEXIBLE BODIES USING BALLOON EXPANSION FOR EXTENSION-CONTRACTION CATHETER ARTICULATION AND OTHER USES”; and 62/401,005 filed on Sep. 28, 2016, entitled “BASE STATION CHARGER AND SERVER FOR HANDHELD ROBOTIC CATHETER SYSTEMS AND OTHER USES, AND IMPROVED ARTICULATED DEVICES AND SYSTEMS”, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein for all purposes.

The subject matter of the present application is related to that of co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/081,026 filed on Mar. 25, 2016, entitled “Articulation Systems, Devices, and Methods for Catheters and Other Uses” (US Patent Publication No. US20160279388; and to that of co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/369,606, filed on Dec. 5, 2016, entitled “Input and Articulation System for Catheters and Other Uses”, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides articulation devices, systems, and methods for elongate flexible structures. In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides systems having a fluid-driven balloon array that can be used to controllable and locally axially contract a frame or skeleton (for example, along one or more selected side(s) of one or more selected axial segment(s)) of an elongate flexible body so as to help define a resting shape or pose of the elongate body. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides improved medical devices, systems, and methods, including improved articulation devices, systems, and methods for selectively bending of, altering the bend characteristics of, and/or altering the lengths of elongate flexible medical structures such as catheters, guidewires, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diagnosing and treating disease often involve accessing internal tissues of the human body. Once the tissues have been accessed, medical technology offers a wide range of diagnostic tools to evaluate tissues and identify lesions or disease states. Similarly, a number of therapeutic tools have been developed that can help surgeons interact with, remodel, deliver drugs to, or remove tissues associated with a disease state so as to improve the health and quality of life of the patient. Unfortunately, gaining access to and aligning tools with the appropriate internal tissues for evaluation or treatment can represent a significant challenge to the physician, can cause serious pain to the patient, and may (at least in the near term) be seriously detrimental to the patient's health.

Open surgery is often the most straightforward approach for gaining access to internal tissues. Open surgery can provide such access by incising and displacing overlying tissues so as to allow the surgeon to manually interact with the target internal tissue structures of the body. This standard approach often makes use of simple, hand-held tools such as scalpels, clamps, sutures, and the like. Open surgery remains, for many conditions, a preferred approach. Although open surgical techniques have been highly successful, they can impose significant trauma to collateral tissues, with much of that trauma being associated with gaining access to the tissues to be treated.

To help avoid the trauma associated with open surgery, a number of minimally invasive surgical access and treatment technologies have been developed. Many minimally invasive techniques involve accessing the vasculature, often through the skin of the thigh, neck, or arm. One or more elongate flexible catheter structures can then be advanced along the network of blood vessel lumens extending throughout the body and its organs. While generally limiting trauma to the patient, catheter-based endoluminal therapies are often reliant on specialized catheter manipulation techniques to safely and accurately gain access to a target region, to position a particular catheter-based tool in alignment with a particular target tissue, and/or to activate or use the tool. In fact, some endoluminal techniques that are relatively simple in concept can be very challenging (or even impossible) in practice (depending on the anatomy of a particular patient and the skill of a particular physician). More specifically, advancing a flexible guidewire and/or catheter through a tortuously branched network of body lumens might be compared to pushing a rope. As the flexible elongate body advances around first one curve and then another, and through a series of branch intersections, the catheter/tissue frictional forces, resilient energy storage (by the tissue and the elongate body), and other movement interactions may become more complex and unpredictable, and control over the rotational and axial position of the distal end of a catheter can become more challenging and less precise. Hence, accurately aligning these elongate flexible devices with the desired luminal pathway and target tissues can be a significant challenge.

A variety of mechanisms can be employed to steer or variably alter deflection of a tip of a guidewire or catheter in one or more lateral directions to facilitate endoluminal and other minimally invasive techniques. Pull wires may be the most common catheter tip deflection structures and work well for many catheter systems by, for example, controllably decreasing separation between loops along one side of a helical coil, braid, or cut hypotube near the end of a catheter or wire. Complex and specialized catheter systems having dozens of pull wires have been proposed and built, in some cases with each pull wire being articulated by a dedicated motor. Alternative articulation systems have also been proposed: work in connection with the present invention has presented a particularly advantageous system which includes an array of small balloons that can be inflated to alter the separation between loops of a coil or the like. Still further alternative systems have been proposed that include electrically actuated shape memory alloy structures, piezoelectric actuation, phase change actuation, and the like. As the capabilities of steerable systems increase, the range of therapies being implemented using these technologies should continue to expand.

Unfortunately, as articulation systems for catheters get more complex, it can be more and more challenging to maintain accurate control over these flexible bodies. For example, pull wires that pass through bent flexible catheters often slide over surfaces within the catheter, with the sliding interaction extending around bends. Hysteresis and friction of a pull-wire system may vary significantly with different overall configurations of the bends, so that the articulation system response may be difficult to predict and control. Hence, there could be benefits to providing more accurate small and precise motions, to improve the lag time, and/or to provide improved transmission of motion over known catheter pull-wire systems to enhance coordination between the input and output of catheters and other elongate flexible tools.

Along with catheter-based therapies, a number of additional minimally invasive surgical technologies have been developed to help treat internal tissues while avoiding at least some of the trauma associated with open surgery. Among the most impressive of these technologies is robotic surgery. Robotic surgeries often involve inserting one end of an elongate rigid shaft into a patient, and moving the other end with a computer-controlled robotic linkage so that the shaft pivots about a minimally invasive aperture. Surgical tools can be mounted on the distal ends of the shafts so that they move within the body, and the surgeon can remotely position and manipulate these tools by moving input devices with reference to an image captured by a camera from within the same workspace, thereby allowing precisely scaled micro-surgery. Alternative robotic systems have also been proposed for manipulation of the proximal end of flexible catheter bodies from outside the patient so as to position distal treatment tools. These attempts to provide automated catheter control have met with challenges, which may be in-part because of the difficulties in providing accurate control at the distal end of a flexible elongate body using pull-wires extending along bending body lumens. Still further alternative catheter control systems apply large magnetic fields using coils outside the patient's body to direct catheters inside the heart of the patient, and more recent proposals seek to combine magnetic and robotic catheter control techniques. While the potential improvements to control surgical accuracy make all of these efforts alluring, the capital equipment costs and overall burden to the healthcare system of these large, specialized systems is a concern, and precise robotic control of some or all of these system can still be a challenge.

In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide new and improved articulation devices, system, and methods for use with elongate flexible structures. It would also be beneficial to provide improved medical devices, systems, and methods, particularly those that involve the use of elongate flexible bodies such as catheters, guidewires, and other flexible minimally invasive surgical tools. It would be desirable if these improved technologies could offer improved controllability over the resting or nominal shape of a skeleton of a flexible body, and still allow the overall body to bend (safely and predictably) against soft tissues, ideally without requiring the use of very expensive components, large numbers of parts, and/or exotic materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides articulation devices, systems, and methods for articulating elongate flexible structures. Exemplary embodiments provide systems having a fluid-driven balloon array that can be used to locally contract a flexible elongate frame or skeleton (for example, along one or more selected side(s) of one or more selected axial segment(s)) of an elongate flexible body so as to help define a resting shape or pose of the elongate body. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides improved medical devices, systems, and methods, including improved articulation devices, systems, and methods for selectively bending of, altering the bend characteristics of, and/or altering the lengths of elongate flexible medical structures such as catheters, guidewires, and the like. The skeleton structures described herein will often have pairs of corresponding axially oriented surface regions that can move relative to each other, for example, with the regions being on either side of a sliding joint, or coupled to each other by a loop of a deformable helical coil structure of the skeleton. A balloon of the array (or some other actuator) may be between the regions of the pairs. One or more of these pairs of surfaces may be separated by an offset that increases when the axis of the skeleton is compressed near the pair. While it may be counterintuitive, axial expansion of the balloon (or another actuator) between such regions can axially contract or shorten the skeleton near the balloon, for example, bending the skeleton toward a balloon that is offset laterally from the axis of the elongate body. Advantageously, the skeleton and balloon array can be configured so that different balloons apply opposing local axial elongation and contraction forces. Hence, selective inflation of subsets of the balloons and corresponding deflation of other subsets of the balloons can be used to controllably urge an elongate flexible body to bend laterally in a desired direction, to change in overall axial length, and/or to do a controlled combination of both throughout a workspace. Furthermore, varying the inflation pressures of the opposed balloons can controllably and locally modulate the stiffness of the elongate body, optionally without changing the pose of the articulated elongate body.

In a first aspect, the invention provides an articulable catheter comprising at least one elongate skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis therebetween. The skeleton includes an inner wall and an outer wall with a first flange affixed to the inner wall and a second flange affixed to the outer wall. Opposed major surfaces of the walls may be oriented primarily radially, and opposed major surfaces of the flanges may be oriented primarily axially. A plurality of axial contraction balloons can be disposed radially between the inner wall and the outer wall, and axially between the first flange and the second flange so that, in use, inflation of the contraction balloons pushes the first and second flanges axially apart so as to urge an axial overlap of the inner and outer walls to increase. This can result in the skeleton adjacent the inflated contraction balloons being locally urged to axially contract in response to the inflating of the balloon.

In some embodiments, the skeleton comprises a plurality of annular or ring structures, often including a plurality of inner rings having the inner walls and a plurality of outer rings having the outer walls. The flanges of such embodiments may comprise annular flanges affixed to the walls, and the annular structures or rings may be axially movable relative to each other. Typically, each ring will include an associated wall and will have a proximal ring end and a distal ring end, with the wall of the ring affixed to an associated proximal flange at the proximal ring end and to an associated distal flange at the distal ring end, the first and second flanges being included among the proximal and distal flanges.

In other embodiments, the skeleton comprises at least one helical member. For example, the walls may comprise helical walls, and the flanges may comprise helical flanges affixed to the helical walls, the helical member(s) including the walls and the flanges. The helical member may define a plurality of helical loops and the loops may be axially movable relative to each other sufficiently to accommodate articulation of the skeleton. Preferably, each loop has an associated wall with a proximal loop edge and a distal loop edge, the wall being affixed to an associated proximal flange at the proximal loop edge and to an associated distal flange at the distal loop edge (the first and second flanges typically being included among these proximal and distal flanges).

In the ring embodiments, the helical embodiments, and other embodiments, a plurality of axial extension balloons may be disposed axially between adjacent flanges of the skeleton. Typically, only one of the walls of the skeleton (for example, an inner wall or an outer wall but not both) may be disposed radially of the extension balloons themselves. In other words, unlike many of the contraction balloons, the extension balloons are preferably not contained radially in a space between an inner wall and an outer wall. As a result, and unlike the contraction balloons, inflation of the the extension balloons during use will push the adjacent flanges axially apart so as to urge the skeleton adjacent the inflated extension balloons to locally elongate axially.

In particularly advantageous embodiments, the extension balloons and the contraction balloons can be mounted to the skeleton in opposition so that inflation of the extension balloons and deflation of the contraction balloons locally axially elongates the skeleton, and so that deflation of the extension balloons and inflation of the contraction balloons locally axially contracts the skeleton. Note that the balloons can be distributed circumferentially about the axis so that selective inflation of a first eccentric subset of the balloons and selective deflation of a second eccentric subset of the balloons can laterally deflect the axis toward a first lateral orientation, and so that selective deflation of the first eccentric subset of the balloons and selective inflation of the second eccentric subset of the balloons can laterally deflect the axis away from the first lateral orientation. The balloons can also (or instead) be distributed axially along the axis so that selective inflation of a third eccentric subset of the balloons and selective deflation of a fourth eccentric subset of the balloons may laterally deflect the axis along a first axial segment of the skeleton, and selective deflation of a fifth eccentric subset of the balloons and selective inflation of a sixth eccentric subset of the balloons laterally deflects the axis along a second axial segment of the skeleton, the second axial segment being axially offset from the first axial segment.

Most embodiments of the systems and devices described herein, and particularly those embodiments having skeletons formed using helical structural members, may benefit from groups of the balloons having outer surfaces defined by a shared flexible tube. The tube may have a cross-section that varies periodically along the axis, and a multi-lumen shaft can be disposed within the flexible tube. The tube may be sealed to the shaft intermittently along the axis, with radial ports extending between interiors of the balloons and a plurality of lumens of the multi-lumen shaft so as to facilitate inflation of selectable subsets of the balloons by directing inflation fluid along a subset of the lumens. In exemplary embodiments, the inflation fluid may comprise gas within the balloons and liquid within the inflation lumens.

In another aspect, the invention provides an articulable flexible system comprising an elongate flexible structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis extending therebetween. The skeleton includes a plurality of eccentric pairs of surface regions that each define an associated offset between the surface regions of that pair. A plurality of extension actuators are included, with each extension actuator coupling the surface regions of an associated pair so that energizing of the extension actuator urges local axial elongation of the skeleton. A plurality of contraction actuators may also be provided, with each contraction actuator coupling the surface regions of an associated pair so that energizing of the contraction actuator urges local axial contraction of the skeleton. The contraction actuators can be mounted to the skeleton substantially in opposition to the extension actuators, and an energy supply system can be coupled with the actuators so as to simultaneously energize both the extension actuators and the contraction actuators during use such that an axial stiffness of the articulable flexible structure can be modulated.

Optionally, the system allows the stiffness to be controllably and selectably increased from a nominal non-energized actuator stiffness to an intermediate stiffness configuration (with the actuators partially energized, and/or to a relatively high stiffness configuration (with the actuators more fully or fully energized). Different axial segments may be controllably varied (so that a first segment has any of a plurality of different stiffnesses, and a second segment independently has any of a plurality of different stiffnesses). In exemplary embodiments, the energy supply system may comprise a pressurized fluid source and the energizing of the actuators may comprise pressurizing the actuators (the actuators often comprising fluid-expandable bodies such as balloons or the like).

In another aspect, the invention provides an articulable flexible device comprising an elongate structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween. The structural skeleton here includes a helical channel with a proximal channel boundary and a distal channel boundary. A helical member is axially movable within the helical channel in correlation with local axial elongation and contraction of the skeleton (which can facilitate using the helical member to vary the shape of the skeleton, for example, by pushing helical member axially toward the proximal or distal boundary). A first helical actuation assembly may be disposed within the channel, the first helical actuation assembly comprising a first helical fluid conduit with a first plurality of fluid supply channels. The first helical actuation assembly may also include a first plurality of fluid-expandable bodies in fluid communication with the first channels, and these may be mounted within the channel so as to span between the proximal channel boundary and the helical member (at least when inflated). A second helical actuation assembly may also be disposed within the channel, the second helical actuation assembly comprising a second helical fluid conduit with a second plurality of fluid supply channels, along with a second plurality of fluid-expandable bodies in fluid communication with the second channels. These second fluid expandable bodies may be positioned in the channel so as to span between the distal channel boundary and the helical member (at least when inflated) such that axial positioning of the helical member within the channel is constrained by inflation states of the the first and second plurality of fluid-expandable bodies. The ability to constrain the position of the helical member within the channel with just the two balloon arrays (or arrays of other expandable bodies, and rather than having to coordinate inflation and deflation of balloons from a larger number of separate balloon arrays, such as from three, four, five, or even six inflation assemblies) can significantly reduce the complexity and improve the performance of the articulation system.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an articulable flexible device comprising an elongate structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween. The structural skeleton has a helical member and first and second axial segments between the proximal and distal ends. A helical fluid conduit extends axially along the skeleton, the conduit having a first plurality of fluid supply channels and a second plurality of fluid supply channels. A first plurality of fluid-expandable bodies is disposed along the first segment and is coupled with the first fluid supply channels so as to facilitate articulation of the first segment with a first plurality of degrees of freedom. A second plurality of fluid-expandable bodies is disposed along the second segment and is coupled with the second fluid supply channels so as to facilitate articulation of the second segment with a second plurality of degrees of freedom. Advantageously, rather than having to rely entirely on different conduits for different axial segments (that provide, for example, independent degrees of freedom), this aspect of the invention allows a common and/or continuous helical conduit to be used for two, three, four, or more segments, typically with each segment accommodating multiple degrees of freedom.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an articulable flexible device comprising an elongate structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween. The structural skeleton has a helical member and an axial segment between the proximal and distal ends. A helical fluid conduit extends axially along the skeleton, the conduit having a plurality of fluid channels. A plurality of fluid-expandable bodies are distributed axially and circumferentially along the segment and are coupled to the fluid channels so that inflation of the balloons during use bends the skeleton along the segment in first and second transverse lateral bending axes, and also axially elongates the skeleton along the segment so that the segment of the skeleton articulates with three degrees of freedom.

In exemplary embodiments, a first subset of the fluid-expandable bodies is disposed substantially axisymmetrical along the segment of the skeleton such that inflation of the first subset axially elongates the segment. A second subset of the fluid-expandable bodies may be distributed eccentrically along the segment such that inflation of the second subset laterally bends the segment along the first lateral bending axis. A third subset of the fluid-expandable bodies may be distributed eccentrically along the segment such that inflation of the third subset laterally bends the segment along the second lateral bending axis and transverse to the first bending axis. The second and third subsets will often axially overlap the first subset. Optionally, a fourth subset of the fluid-expandable bodies may be supported by the skeleton substantially in opposition to the first subset and a fifth subset of the fluid-expandable bodies can similarly be substantially in opposition to the second subset, with a sixth subset of the fluid expandable bodies substantially in opposition to the third subset. This can facilitate using selective inflation of the subsets to controllably and reversibly articulate the segment throughout a three-dimensional workspace.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides an articulable structure comprising an elongate flexible structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis extending therebetween. The skeleton comprises at least one helical member having a contraction offset defined between an associated proximally oriented surface and an associated distally oriented surface. The contraction offset decreases with local axial elongation and increases with local axial contraction of the skeleton. A balloon is disposed in the contraction offset such that inflation of the balloon increases the offset and urges axial contraction of the skeleton.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides an articulable structure comprising an elongate flexible structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis therebetween. The skeleton includes a first helical member having a first proximally oriented surface region and a first distally oriented surface region. A second helical member has a second proximally oriented surface region and a second distally oriented surface region. The first and second helical members have an overlap, and a first contraction offset can be defined between the first proximally oriented surface region of the first member and the second distally oriented surface region of the second member along the overlap. An extension offset may be defined between the first distally oriented surface region of the first helical member and the second proximally oriented surface region of the second helical member. A first contraction balloon may be disposed in the first contraction offset so that inflation of the first contraction balloon urges local axial contraction of the skeleton. A first extension balloon can be disposed in the first extension offset and in opposition to the first balloon so that inflation of the extension balloon urges local axial extension of the skeleton and deflation of the first contraction balloon.

As a general feature, the helical members or elements of the skeletons or frames included in the elongate articulating devices described herein may benefit from loop sections that have significant local stiffness (for example, with a channel shape that can transmit balloon engagement forces axially to axially adjacent frame loops or other structures without excessive local deformation of the channel cross-section), and also from significant axial and/or lateral flexibility (for example, so as to accommodate differential axial expansion states of balloons and associated axial elongation states of adjacent loop segments around the circumference of the loop, and/or to accommodate lateral bending of the overall frame along the axis). In related aspects, the helical members or elements of the skeletons or frames described herein may benefit from openings to enhance flexibility, such as openings extending radially through the walls or axially through the flanges or both, the openings ideally being disposed circumferentially between adjacent balloons. Such openings may, for example, be formed by cutting opposed angled or rounded notches through proximal end distal flanges of a helical channel member, with the notches extending axially from the flanges toward each other along a wall extending between the flanges. This may facilitate bending of the helical channel at the narrowed section of the wall, enhancing axial flexibility of the skeleton. Similar benefits may be provided by including local or orientation-specific stiffening structures extending along a frame channel cross-section or the like. With or without such openings or stiffeners, exemplary helical frame members may be fabricated by deposition of a polymer such as parylene on a metal mold. The flanges and walls of one or more helical frame member included in the articulating devices described herein may be integrally formed by such paralyene deposition, with the walls and flanges of the frames optionally having a thickness in a range from about 0.002″ to about 0.010″. Alternative methods for integrally forming the flanges and wall of a channel member may comprise extruding a straight channel shape and post-processing the straight extrusion by heating and bending the extrusion to a helical shape around an inner mandrel, ideally with suitable support inside and outside the channel so as to provide the desired helical shape and channel cross section.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a method for articulating an elongate flexible device. The method comprises directing fluid distally along an elongate flexible body of the device, the device having a plurality of fluid expandable bodies distributed along and about an axis extending along the body, wherein the fluid is directed toward a subset of the fluid expandable bodies so as to expand the expandable bodies of the subset. The elongate body adjacent the expandable bodies of the subset locally contracts in response to expanding of the expandable bodies of the subset so as to urge the device to bend laterally toward the subset, to decrease in axial length, to increase in lateral bending stiffness, or a combination thereof.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a method for making an elongate flexible device. The method comprises forming at least one elongate skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis therebetween, the skeleton including a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface. The opposed surfaces are oriented primarily axially. A fluid pathway is provided from the proximal end to a plurality of axial contraction balloons disposed radially between the inner wall and the outer wall, and axially between the first flange and the second flange. The balloons and fluid conduit are arranged so that, in use, inflation of the contraction balloons via the pathway locally urges the skeleton adjacent the inflated contraction balloons to axially contract. Optionally, the forming of the skeleton is performed by deposition of parylene.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an articulable system comprising an elongate flexible structural skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end with an axis extending therebetween. The skeleton comprises a plurality of members extending primarily circumferentially about the axis, the members having flanges extending primarily radially from walls extending primarily axially. Adjacent flanges of adjacent members are separated by local offsets that vary with lateral bending of the skeleton or axial elongation of the skeleton or both. A plurality of fluid expandable bodies are disposed in the offsets of the skeleton and are configured to couple with a fluid supply system. This allows a subset of the expandable bodies to selectably expand so as to alter a bend state of the axis, an elongation state of the axis, a lateral bending stiffness of the axis, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a medical procedure in which a physician can input commands into a catheter system so that a catheter is articulated using systems and devices described herein.

FIG. 1-1 schematically illustrates a catheter articulation system having a hand-held proximal housing and a catheter with a distal articulatable portion in a relaxed state.

FIGS. 1A-1C schematically illustrate a plurality of alternative articulation states of the distal portion of the catheter in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an alternative distal structure having a plurality of articulatable sub-regions or segments so as to provide a desired total number of degrees of freedom and range of movement.

FIG. 3 is a simplified exploded perspective view showing a balloon array that can be formed in a substantially planar configuration and rolled into a cylindrical configuration, and which can be mounted coaxially to a helical coil or other skeleton framework for use in the catheter of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a simplified cross-section and a simplified transverse cross-section, respectively, of an articulatable catheter for use in the system of FIG. 1, shown here with the balloons of the array in an uninflated, small axial profile configuration and between loops of the coil.

FIG. 4C is a simplified transverse cross-section of the articulatable catheter of FIGS. 4A and 4B, with a plurality of axially aligned balloons along one side of the articulatable region of the catheter inflated so that the catheter is in a laterally deflected state.

FIG. 4D is a simplified transverse cross-section of the articulatable catheter of FIG. 4, with a plurality of laterally opposed balloons inflated so that the catheter is in an axially elongated state.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates components for use in the catheter system of FIG. 1, including the balloon array, inflation fluid source, fluid control system, and processor.

FIG. 5A is a simplified schematic of an alternative balloon array and fluid control system, in which a plurality of valves coupled with the proximal end of the catheter can be used to direct fluid to any of a plurality of channels of the array and thereby selectably determine a subset of balloons to be expanded.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a catheter articulation system in which an input of the system is incorporated with an introducer sheath.

FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically illustrate balloon arrays in which the balloons are disposed over multi-lumen helical coil cores shafts or conduits, and also show the effects of varying balloon inflation density on a radius of curvature of a catheter or other flexible body.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate components of an alternative embodiment having a plurality of interleaved multi-lumen polymer helical cores interleaved with a plurality of resilient coil structures having axially oriented surfaces configured to radially restrain the balloons.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative helical balloon core having a radially elongate cross-section to limit inflation fluid flows and provide additional fluid channels and/or channel sizes.

FIGS. 13-17 schematically illustrate skeletons structures having frames or members with balloons mounted in opposition so as to axially extend with inflation of one subset of the balloons, and to axially contract with inflation of another subset of balloons.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are a schematic illustration of an exemplary axial expansion/contraction skeleton with axial expansion and axial contraction balloons; and a corresponding cross-section of a skeleton having an axial series of annular members or rings articulated by the axial expansion and axial contraction balloons, respectively.

FIGS. 20-22B are illustrations of elongate flexible articulated structures having annular skeletons with three opposed sets of balloons, and show how varying inflation of the balloons can be used to axially contract some portions of the frame and axially extend other portions to bend or elongate the frame and to control a pose or shape of the frame in three dimensions.

FIGS. 23A-23J are illustrations of alternative elongate articulated flexible structures having annular skeletons and two sets of opposed balloons, and show how a plurality of independently controllable axial segments can be combined to allow control of the overall elongate structure with 6 or more degrees of freedom.

FIGS. 24A-24G illustrate components of another alternative elongate articulated flexible structure having axial expansion balloons and opposed axial contraction balloons, the structures here having helical skeleton members and helical balloon assemblies.

FIGS. 25A-25F illustrate exemplary elongate articulated flexible structures having helical skeleton members and three helical balloon assemblies supported in opposition along the skeleton, and also show how selective inflation of subsets of the balloons can locally axially elongate and/or contract the skeleton to bend the structure laterally and/or alter the overall length of the structure.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate alternative articulated structures similar to those of FIG. 25, here with two balloon assemblies supported in opposition along the frames.

FIG. 27 illustrates alternative multi-lumen conduit or core structures for use in the balloon assemblies of FIGS. 24 and 25, showing a variety of different numbers of channels that can be used with different numbers of articulated segments.

FIGS. 28-33 schematically illustrate alternative helical frame structures having cuts and channels to enhance flexibility and/or provide access to balloon end surfaces to promote rotational alignment of subsets of balloons.

FIGS. 34, 35, and 36 illustrate components that may be used to help promote rotational alignment of balloons along a helical balloon array within helical or ring frame structures.

FIGS. 37 and 38 schematically illustrate an alternative helical inner frame having enhanced flexibility.

FIGS. 39A-39D illustrate alternative ring frame assemblies and components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The catheter bodies (and many of the other elongate flexible bodies that benefit from the inventions described herein) will often be described herein as having or defining an axis, such that the axis extends along the elongate length of the body. As the bodies are flexible, the local orientation of this axis may vary along the length of the body, and while the axis will often be a central axis defined at or near a center of a cross-section of the body, eccentric axes near an outer surface of the body might also be used. It should be understood, for example, that an elongate structure that extends “along an axis” may have length that extends in an orientation with a significant axial component, but the length of that structure need not be precisely parallel to the axis. Similarly, an elongate structure that extends “primarily along the axis” and the like will generally have a length that extends along an orientation that has a greater axial component than components in other orientations orthogonal to the axis. Other orientations may be defined relative to the axis of the body, including orientations that are transvers to the axis (which will encompass orientation that generally extend across the axis, but need not be orthogonal to the axis), orientations that are lateral to the axis (which will encompass orientations that having a significant radial component relative to the axis), orientations that are circumferential relative to the axis (which will encompass orientations that extend around the axis. The orientations of surfaces may be described herein by reference to the normal of the surface extending away from the structure underlying the surface. As an example, in a simple, solid cylindrical body that has an axis that extends from a proximal end of the body to the distal end of the body, the distal-most end of the body may be described as being distally oriented, the proximal end may be described as being proximally oriented, and the surface between the proximal and distal ends may be described as being radially oriented. As another example, an elongate helical structure extending axially around the above cylindrical body, with the helical structure comprising a wire with a square cross section wrapped around the cylinder at a 20 degree angle, might be described herein as having two opposed axial surfaces (with one being primarily proximally oriented, one being primarily distally oriented). The outermost surface of that wire might be described as being oriented exactly radially outwardly, while the opposed inner surface of the wire might be described as being oriented radially inwardly, and so forth.

Embodiments provided herein may use balloon-like structures to effect articulation of the elongate catheter or other body. The term “articulation balloon” may be used to refer to a component which expands on inflation with a fluid and is arranged so that on expansion the primary effect is to cause articulation of the elongate body. Note that this use of such a structure is contrasted with a conventional interventional balloon whose primary effect on expansion is to cause substantial radially outward expansion from the outer profile of the overall device, for example to dilate or occlude or anchor in a vessel in which the device is located. Independently, articulated medial structures described herein will often have an articulated distal portion, and an unarticulated proximal portion, which may significantly simplify initial advancement of the structure into a patient using standard catheterization techniques.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a first exemplary catheter system 1 and method for its use are shown. A physician or other system user U interacts with catheter system 1 so as to perform a therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedure on a patient P, with at least a portion of the procedure being performed by advancing a catheter 3 into a body lumen and aligning an end portion of the catheter with a target tissue of the patient. More specifically, a distal end of catheter 3 is inserted into the patient through an access site A, and is advanced through one of the lumen systems of the body (typically the vasculature network) while user U guides the catheter with reference to images of the catheter and the tissues of the body obtained by a remote imaging system.

Exemplary catheter system 1 will often be introduced into patient P through one of the major blood vessels of the leg, arm, neck, or the like. A variety of known vascular access techniques may also be used, or the system may alternatively be inserted through a body orifice or otherwise enter into any of a number of alternative body lumens. The imaging system will generally include an image capture system 7 for acquiring the remote image data and a display D for presenting images of the internal tissues and adjacent catheter system components. Suitable imaging modalities may include fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, combinations of two or more of these, or others.

Catheter 3 may be used by user U in different modes during a single procedure. Catheter 3 may, for example, be manually advanced over a guidewire, using either over-the-wire or rapid exchange techniques. Catheter 3 may also be self-guiding during manual advancement (so that for at least a portion of the advancement of catheter 3, a distal tip of the catheter may guide manual distal advancement). In addition to such manual movement modes, catheter system 1 may also have a 3-D automated movement mode using computer controlled articulation of at least a portion of the length of catheter 3 disposed within the body of the patient to change the shape of the catheter portion, often to advance or position the distal end of the catheter. Still further modes of operation of system 1 may also be implemented, including concurrent manual manipulation with automated articulation, for example, with user U manually advancing the proximal shaft through access site A while computer-controlled lateral deflections and/or changes in stiffness over a distal portion of the catheter help the distal end follow a desired path or reduce resistance to the axial movement.

Referring next to FIG. 1-1 components which may be included in or used with catheter system 1 or catheter 3 (described above) can be more fully understood with reference to an alternative catheter system 10 and its catheter 12. Cather 12 generally includes an elongate flexible catheter body and is detachably coupled to a handle 14, preferably by a quick-disconnect coupler 16. Catheter body 12 has an axis 30, and an input 18 of handle 14 can be moved by a user so as to locally alter the axial bending characteristics along catheter body 12, often for variably articulating an actuated portion 20 of the catheter body. Catheter body 12 will often have a working lumen 26 into or through which a therapeutic and/or diagnostic tool may be advanced from a proximal port 28 of handle 14. Alternative embodiments may lack a working lumen, may have one or more therapeutic or diagnostic tools incorporated into the catheter body near or along actuated portion 20, may have a sufficiently small outer profile to facilitate use of the body as a guidewire, may carry a tool or implant near actuated portion 20 or near distal end 26, or the like. In particular embodiments, catheter body 12 may support a therapeutic or diagnostic tool 8 proximal of, along the length of, and/or distal of actuated portion 20. Alternatively, a separate elongate flexible catheter body may be guided distally to a target site once catheter body 20 has been advanced (with the elongate body for such uses often taking the form and use of a guidewire or guide catheter).

The particular tool or tools included in, advanceable over, and/or introducible through the working lumen of catheter body 20 may include any of a wide range of therapeutic and/or treatment structures. Examples include cardiovascular therapy and diagnosis tools (such as angioplasty balloons, stent deployment balloons or other devices, atherectomy devices, tools for detecting, measuring, and/or characterizing plaque or other occlusions, tools for imaging or other evaluation of, and/or treatment of, the coronary or peripheral arteries, structural heart tools (including prostheses or other tools for valve procedures, for altering the morphology of the heart tissues, chambers, and appendages, and the like), tools for electrophysiology mapping or ablation tools, and the like); stimulation electrodes or electrode implantation tools (such as leads, lead implant devices, and lead deployment systems, leadless pacemakers and associated deployments systems, and the like); neurovascular therapy tools (including for accessing, diagnosis and/or treatment of hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes and other conditions, and the like); gastrointestinal and/or reproductive procedure tools (such as colonoscopic diagnoses and intervention tools, transurethral procedure tools, transesophageal procedure tools, endoscopic bariatric procedure tools, etc.); hysteroscopic and/or falloposcopic procedure tools, and the like; pulmonary procedure tools for therapies involving the airways and/or vasculature of the lungs; tools for diagnosis and/or treatment of the sinus, throat, mouth, or other cavities, and a wide variety of other endoluminal therapies and diagnoses structures. Such tools may make use of known surface or tissue volume imaging technologies (including imaging technologies such as 2-D or 3-D cameras or other imaging technologies; optical coherence tomography technologies; ultrasound technologies such as intravascular ultrasound, transesophogeal ultrasound, intracardiac ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, or the like; magnetic resonance imaging technologies; and the like), tissue or other material removal, incising, and/or penetrating technologies (such a rotational or axial atherectomy technologies; morcellation technologies; biopsy technologies; deployable needle or microneedle technologies; thrombus capture technologies; snares; and the like), tissue dilation technologies (such as compliant or non-compliant balloons, plastically or resiliently expandable stents, reversibly expandable coils, braids or other scaffolds, and the like), tissue remodeling and/or energy delivery technologies (such as electrosurgical ablation technologies, RF electrodes, microwave antennae, cautery surfaces, cryosurgical technologies, laser energy transmitting surfaces, and the like), local agent delivery technologies (such as drug eluting stents, balloons, implants, or other bodies; contrast agent or drug injection ports; endoluminal repaving structures; and the like), implant and prosthesis deploying technologies, anastomosis technologies and technologies for applying clips or sutures, tissue grasping and manipulation technologies; and/or the like. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the articulation structure may be used to manipulate tissues directly. Non-medical embodiments may similarly have a wide range of tools or surfaces for industrial, assembly, imaging, manipulation, and other uses.

Addressing catheter body 12 of system 10 (and particularly articulation capabilities of actuated portion 20) in more detail, the catheter body generally has a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24 with axis 30 extending between the two. As can be understood with reference to FIG. 2, catheter body 12 may have a short actuated portion 20 of about 3 diameters or less, but will often have an elongate actuated portion 20 extending intermittently or continuously over several diameters of the catheter body (generally over more than 3 diameters, often over more than 10 diameters, in many cases over more than 20 diameters, and in some embodiments over more than 40 diameters). A total length of catheter body 12 (or other flexible articulated bodies employing the actuation components described herein) may be from 5 to 500 cm, more typically being from 15 to 260 cm, with the actuated portion optionally having a length of from 1 to 150 cm (more typically being 2 to 20 cm) and an outer diameter of from 0.65 mm to 5 cm (more typically being from 1 mm to 2 cm). Outer diameters of guidewire embodiments of the flexible bodies may be as small as 0.012″ though many embodiments may be more than 2 Fr, with catheter and other medical embodiments optionally having outer diameters as large as 34 French or more, and with industrial robotic embodiments optionally having diameters of up to 1″ or more. Exemplary catheter embodiments for structural heart therapies (such as trans-catheter aortic or mitral valve repair or implantation, left atrial appendage closure, and the like) may have actuated portions with lengths of from 3 to 30 cm, more typically being from 5 to 25 cm, and may have outer profiles of from 10 to 30 Fr, typically being from 12 to 18 Fr or 12 to 26 Fr, and ideally being from 13 to 16 Fr or 18 to 24 Fr. Electrophysilogy therapy catheters (including those having electrodes for sensing heart cycles and/or electrodes for ablating selected tissues of the heart) may have sizes of from about 5 to about 12 Fr, and articulated lengths of from about 3 to about 30 cm. A range of other sizes might also be implemented for these or other applications.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, system 10 may be configured to articulate actuated portion 20. Articulation will often allow movement continuously throughout a range of motion, though some embodiments may provide articulation in-part or in-full by selecting from among a plurality of discrete articulation states. Catheters having opposed axial extension and contraction actuators are described herein that may be particularly beneficial for providing continuous controlled and reversible movement, and can also be used to modulate the stiffness of a flexible structure. These continuous and discrete systems share many components (and some systems might employ a combination of both approaches). First addressing the use of a discrete state system, FIG. 1A, system 10 can, for example, increase an axial length of actuated portion 20 by one or more incremental changes in length ΔL. An exemplary structure for implementation of a total selectable increase in length ΔL can combine a plurality of incremental increases in length ΔL=ΔL₁+ΔL₂+ . . . ), as can be understood with reference to FIG. 4D. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, system 10 may also deflect distal end 24 to a first bent state having a first bend angle 31 between unarticulated axis 30 and an articulated axis 30′ (as shown schematically in FIG. 1B), or to a second bent state having a total bend angle 33 (between articulated axis 30 and articulated axis 30″), with this second bend angle being greater than the first bend angle (as shown schematically in FIG. 1C). An exemplary structure for combining multiple discrete bend angle increments to form a total bend angle 33 can be understood with reference to FIG. 4C. Regardless, the additional total cumulative bend angle 33 may optionally be implemented by imposing the first bend 31 (of FIG. 1B) as a first increment along with one or more additional bend angle increments 35. The incremental changes to actuated portion 20 may be provided by fully inflating and/or deflating actuation balloons of the catheter system. Bend capabilities may be limited to a single lateral orientation, but will more typically be available in different lateral orientations, most typically in any of 3 or 4 orientations (for example, using balloons positioned along two pairs of opposed lateral axes, sometimes referred to as the +X, −X, +Y and −Y orientations), and by combining different bend orientations, in intermediate orientations as well. Continuous positioning may be implemented using similar articulation structures by partially inflating or deflating balloons or groups of balloons.

System 10 may also be configured to provide catheter 12 with any of a plurality of discrete alternative total axial lengths. As with the bend capabilities, such length actuation may also be implemented by inflating balloons of a balloon array structure. To provide articulation with the simple balloon array structures described herein, each actuation may be implemented as a combination of discrete, predetermined actuation increments (optionally together with one or more partial or modulated actuation) but may more often be provided using modulated or partial inflation of balloons.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-1 and 2, embodiments of articulation system 10 will move the distal end 24 of catheter 12 toward a desired position and/or orientation in a workspace relative to a base portion 21, with the base portion often being adjacent to and proximal of actuated portion 20. Note that such articulation may be relatively (or even completely) independent of any bending of catheter body 12 proximal of base portion 21. The location and orientation of proximal base 21 (relative to handle 14 or to another convenient fixed or movable reference frame) may be identified, for example, by including known catheter position and/or orientation identification systems in system 10, by including radiopaque or other high-contrast markers and associated imaging and position and/or orientation identifying image processing software in system 10, by including a flexible body state sensor system along the proximal portion of catheter body 12, by foregoing any flexible length of catheter body 12 between proximal handle 14 and actuated portion 20, or the like. A variety of different degrees of freedom may be provided by actuated portion 20. Exemplary embodiments of articulation system 10 may allow, for example, distal end 24 to be moved with 2 degrees of freedom, 3 degrees of freedom, 4 degrees of freedom, 5 degrees of freedom, or 6 degrees of freedom relative to base portion 21. The number of kinematic degrees of freedom of articulated portion 20 may be much higher in some embodiments, particularly when a number of different alternative subsets of the balloon array could potentially be in different inflation states to give the same resulting catheter tip and/or tool position and orientation.

Note that the elongate catheter body 12 along and beyond actuated portion 20 may (and often should) remain flexible before, during, and after articulation, so as to avoid inadvertently applying lateral and/or axial forces to surrounding tissues that are beyond a safe threshold. Nonetheless, embodiments of the systems described herein may locally and controllable increase a stiffness of one or more axial portions of catheter body 12, along actuated portion 20, proximal of actuated portion 20, and/or distal of actuated portion 20. Such selective stiffening of the catheter body may be implemented with or without active articulation capabilities, may extend along one or more axial portion of catheter body 12, and may alter which portions are stiffened and which are more flexible in response to commands from the user, sensor input (optionally indicating axial movement of the catheter), or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, actuated portion 20 may comprise an axial series of 2 or more (and preferably at least 3) actuatable sub-portions or segments 20′, 20″, 20′″, with the segments optionally being adjacent to each other, or alternatively separated by relatively short (less than 10 diameters) and/or relatively stiff intermediate portions of catheter 12. Each sub-portion or segment may have an associated actuation array, with the arrays working together to provide the desired overall catheter shape and degrees of freedom to the tip or tool. At least 2 of the sub-portions may employ similar articulation components (such as similar balloon arrays, similar structural backbone portions, similar valve systems, and/or similar software). Commonality may include the use of corresponding actuation balloon arrays, but optionally with the characteristics of the individual actuation balloons of the different arrays and the spacing between the locations of the arrays varying for any distal tapering of the catheter body. There may be advantages to the use of differentiated articulation components, for example, with proximal and distal sub portions, 20′, 20′″ having similar structures that are configured to allow selective lateral bending with at least two degrees of freedom, and intermediate portion 20″ being configured to allow variable axial elongation. In many embodiments, however, at least two (and preferabley all) segments are substantially continuous and share common components and geometries, with the different segments having separate fluid channels and being separately articulatable but each optionally providing similar movement capabilities.

For those elongate flexible articulated structures described herein that include a plurality of axial segments, the systems will often determine and implement each commanded articulation of a particular segment as a single consistent articulation toward a desired segment shape state that is distributed along that segment. In some exemplary embodiments, the nominal or resting segment shape state may be constrained to a 3 DOF space (such as by continuous combinations of two transverse lateral bending orientations and an axial (elongation) orientation in an X-Y-Z work space). In some of the exemplary embodiments described herein (including at least some of the helical extension/contraction embodiments), lateral bends along a segment may be at least approximately planar when the segment is in or near a design axial length configuration (such as at or near the middle of the axial or Z range of motion), but may exhibit a slight but increasing off-plane twisting curvature as the segment moves away from that design configuration (such as near the proximal and/or distal ends of the axial range of motion). The off-plane bending may be repeatably accounted for kinematically by determining the changes in lateral orientation of eccentric balloons resulting from winding and unwinding of helical structures supporting those balloons when the helical structures increase and decrease in axial length. For example, a segment may be commanded (as part of an overall desired pose or movement) to bend in a −Y orientation with a 20 degree bend angle. If the bend is to occur at a design axial length (such as at the middle of the axial range of motion), and assuming balloons (or opposed balloon pairs) at 4 axial bend locations can be used to provide the commanded bend, the balloons (or balloon pairs) may each be inflated or deflated to bend the segment by about 5 degrees (thereby providing a total bend of 5*4 or 20 degrees) in the −Y orientation. If the same bend is to be combined with axial lengthening of the segment to the end of its axial range of motion, the processor may determine that the segment may would exhibit some twist (say 2 degrees) so that there would be a slight +X component to the commanded bend, so that the processor may compensate for the twist by commanding a corresponding −X bend component, or by otherwise compensating in the command for another segment of the flexible body.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, catheter body 12 of system 10 includes an actuation array structure 32 mounted to a structural skeleton (here in the form of a helical coil 34). Exemplary balloon array 32 includes fluid expandable structures or balloons 36 distributed at balloon locations along a flexible substrate 38 so as to define an M×N array, in which M is an integer number of balloons distributed about a circumference 50 of catheter 12 at a given location along axis 30, and N represents an integer number of axial locations along catheter 12 having actuation balloons. Circumferential and axial spacing of the array element locations will generally be known, and will preferably be regular. This first exemplary actuation array includes a 4×4 array for a total of 16 balloons; alternative arrays may be from 1×2 arrays for a total of 2 balloons to 8×200 arrays for a total of 1600 balloons (or beyond), more typically having from 3×3 to 6×20 arrays. While balloon arrays of 1×N may be provided (particularly on systems that rely on rotation of the catheter body to orient a bend), M will more typically be 2 or more, more often being from 3 to 8, and preferably being 3 or 4. Similarly, while balloon arrays of M×1 may be provided to allow imposition of a single bend increment at a particular location in any of a number of different desired lateral orientations, array 32 will more typically have an N of from 2 to 200, often being from 3 to 20 or 3 to 100. In contraction/expansion embodiments described below, multiple arrays may be provided with similar M×N arrays mounted in opposition. Not all array locations need have inflatable balloons, and the balloons may be arranged in more complex arrangements, such as with alternating circumferential numbers of balloons along the axis, or with varying or alternating separation between balloons along the axial length of the array.

The balloons of a particular segment or that are mounted to a common substrate may be described as forming an array, with the actuation balloon array structure optionally being used as a sub-array in a multi-segment or opposed articulation system. The combined sub-arrays together may form an array of the overall device, which may also be described simply as an array or optionally an overall or combined array. Exemplary balloon arrays along a segment or sub-portion of articulated portion 20 include 1×8, 1×12, and 1×16 arrays for bending in a single direction (optionally with 2, 3, 4, or even all of the balloons of the segment in fluid communication with a single common inflation lumen so as to be inflated together) and 4×4, 4×8, and 4×12 arrays for X-Y bending (with axially aligned groups of 2-12 balloons coupled with 4 or more common lumens for articulation in the +X, −X, +Y, and −Y orientations). Exemplary arrays for each segment having the opposed extension/retraction continuous articulation structures described herein may be in the form of a 3×2N, 3×3N, 4×2N, or 4×3N balloons arrays, for example, 3×2, 3×4, 3×6, 3×8, 3×10, 3×12, 3×14, and 3×16 arrays with 6 to 48 balloons, with the 3 lateral balloon orientations separated by 120 degrees about the catheter axis. Extension balloons will often be axially interspersed with contraction balloons along each lateral orientation, with separate 3×N arrays being combined together in a 3×2N extension/contraction array for the segment, while two extension balloons may be positioned axially between each contraction balloon for 3×3N arrangements. The contraction balloons may align axially and/or be in plane with the extension balloons they oppose, though it may be advantageous in some embodiments to arrange opposed balloons offset from a planer arrangement, so that (for example) two balloons of one type balance one balloon of the other, or vice versa. The extension balloons along each orientation of the segment may share a common inflation fluid supply lumen while the contraction balloons of the segment for each orientation similarly share a common lumen (using 6 fluid supply lumens per segment for both 3×2N and 3×3N arrays). An extension/contraction catheter may have from 1 to 8 such segments along the articulated portion, more typically from 1 to 5 segments, and preferably being 2 to 4 segments. Other medical and non-medical elongate flexible articulated structures may have similar or more complex balloon articulation arrays.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C, the skeleton will often (though not always) include an axial series of loops 42. When the loops are included in a helical coil 34, the coil may optionally be biased so as to urge adjacent loops 42 of the coil 34 toward each other. Such axially compressive biasing may help urge fluid out and deflate the balloons, and may by applied by other structures (inner and/or outer sheath(s), pull wires, etc.) with or without helical compression. Axial engagement between adjacent loops (directly, or with balloon walls or other material of the array between loops) can also allow compressive axial forces to be transmitted relatively rigidly when the balloons are not inflated. When a particular balloon is fully inflated, axial compression may be transmitted between adjacent loops by the fully inflated balloon wall material and by the fluid within the balloons. Where the balloon walls are non-compliant, the inflated balloons may transfer these forces relatively rigidly, though with some flexing of the balloon wall material adjacent the balloon/skeleton interface. Rigid or semi-rigid interface structures which distribute axial loads across a broader balloon interface region may limit such flexing. Axial tension forces (including those associated with axial bending) may be resisted by the biasing of the skeleton (and/or by other axial compressive structures). Alternative looped skeleton structures may be formed, for example, by cutting hypotube with an axial series of lateral incisions across a portion of the cross-section from one or more lateral orientations, braided metal or polymer elements, or the like. Non-looped skeletons may be formed using a number of alternative known rigid or flexible robotic linkage architectures, including with structures based on known soft robot structures. Suitable materials for coil 34 or other skeleton structures may comprise metals such as stainless steel, spring steel, superelastic or shape-memory alloys such as Nitinol™ alloys, polymers, fiber-reinforced polymers, high-density or ultrahigh-density polymers, or the like.

When loops are included in the skeleton, actuation array 32 can be mounted to the skeleton with at least some of the balloons 36 positioned between two adjacent associated loops 42, such as between the loops of coil 34. Referring now to FIG. 4C, an exemplary deflated balloon 36 i is located between a proximally adjacent loop 42 i and a distally adjacent loop 42 ii, with a first surface region of the balloon engaging a distally oriented surface of proximal loop 34 i, and a second surface region of the balloon engaging a proximally oriented surface of distal loop 42 ii. The walls of deflated balloon 36 i have some thickness, and the proximal and distal surfaces of adjacent loops 42 i and 42 ii maintain a non-zero axial deflated offset 41 between the loops. Axial compression forces can be transferred from the loops through the solid balloon walls. Alternative skeletal structures may allow the loops to engage directly against each other so as to have a deflated offset of zero and directly transmit axial compressive force, for example by including balloon receptacles or one or more axial protrusions extending from one or both loops circumferentially or radially beyond the balloon and any adjacent substrate structure. Regardless, full inflation of the balloon will typically increase the separation between the adjacent loops to a larger full inflation offset 41′. The simplified lateral cross-sections of FIGS. 4B, 4C, and 4D schematically show a direct interface engagement between a uniform thickness thin-walled balloon and a round helical coil loop. Such an interface may result in relatively limited area of the balloon wall engaging the coil and associated deformation under axial loading. Alternative balloon-engaging surface shapes along the coils (often including locally increased convex radii, locally flattened surfaces, and/or local concave balloon receptacles) and/or along the coil-engaging surfaces of the balloon (such as by locally thickening the balloon wall to spread the engagement area), and/or providing load-spreading bodies between the balloons and the coils may add axial stiffness. A variety of other modifications to the balloons and balloon/coil interfaces may also be beneficial, including adhesive bonding of the balloons to the adjacent coils, including folds or material so as to inhibit balloon migration, and the like.

Inflation of a balloon can alter the geometry along catheter body 12, for example, by increasing separation between loops of a helical coil so as to bend axis 30 of catheter 12. As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 1B, 1C and 4-4C, selectively inflating an eccentric subset of the balloons can variably alter lateral deflection of the catheter axis. As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 1A, 4, and 4D, inflation of all (or an axisymmetric subset) of the balloons may increase an axial length of the catheter structure. Inflating subsets of the balloons that have a combination of differing lateral orientations and axial positions can provide a broad range of potential locations and orientations of the catheter distal tip 26, and/or of one or more other locations along the catheter body (such as where a tool is mounted).

Some or all of the material of substrate 38 included in actuation array 32 will often be relatively inelastic. It may, however, be desirable to allow the skeleton and overall catheter to flex and/or elongate axially with inflation of the balloons or under environmental forces. Hence, array 32 may have cutouts 56 so as to allow the balloon array to move axially with the skeleton during bending and elongation. The array structure could alternatively (or in addition) be configured for such articulation by having a serpentine configuration or a helical coiled configuration. Balloons 36 of array 32 may include non-compliant balloon wall materials, with the balloon wall materials optionally being formed integrally from material of the substrate or separately. Note that elastic layers or other structures may be included in the substrate for use in valves and the like, and that some alternative balloons may include elastic and/or semi-compliant materials.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 5, substrate 38 of array 32 is laterally flexible so that the array can be rolled or otherwise assume a cylindrical configuration when in use. The cylindrical array may be coaxially mounted to (such as being inserted into or radially outwardly surrounding) the helical coil 34 or other structural backbone of the catheter. The cylindrical configuration of the array will generally have a diameter that is equal to or less than an outer diameter of the catheter. The opposed lateral edges of substrate 38 may be separated by a gap as shown, may contact each other, or may overlap. Contacting or overlapping edges may be affixed together (optionally so as to help seal the catheter against radial fluid flow) or may accommodate relative motion (so as to facilitate axil flexing). In some embodiments, lateral rolling or flexing of the substrate to form the cylindrical configuration may be uniform (so as to provide a continuous lateral curve along the major surfaces), while in other embodiments intermittent axial bend regions of the substrate may be separated by axially elongate relatively flat regions of the substrate so that a cylindrical shape is approximated by a prism-like arrangement (optionally so as to limit bending of the substrate along balloons, valves, or other array components).

It will often (though not always) be advantageous to form and/or assemble one or more components of the array structure in a flat, substantially planar configuration (and optionally in a linear configuration as described below). This may facilitate, for example, partial or final formation of balloons 36 on substrate 38, or alternatively, attachment of pre-formed balloons to the substrate. The flat configuration of the substrate may also facilitate the use of known extrusion or microfluidic channel fabrication techniques to provide fluid communication channels 52 so as to selectively couple the balloons with a fluid inflation fluid source or reservoir 54, and the like. Still further advantages of the flat configuration of the substrate may include the use of electrical circuit printing techniques to fabricate electrical traces and other circuit components, automated 3-D printing techniques (including additive and/or removal techniques) for forming valves, balloons, channels, or other fluid components that will be supported by substrate 38, and the like. When the substrate is in a rolled, tubular, or flat planar configuration, the substrate will typically have a first major surface 62 adjacent balloons 36, and a second major surface 64 opposite the first major surface (with first major surface 62 optionally being a radially inner or outer surface and second major surface 64 being a radially outer or inner surface, respectively, in the cylindrical configuration). To facilitate flexing substrate 38 and array 32 into the rolled configuration, relief cuts or channels may be formed extending into the substrate from the first and/or second major surfaces, or living hinge regions may otherwise be provided between relatively more rigid portions of the substrate. To further avoid deformation of the substrate adjacent any valves or other sensitive structures, local stiffening reinforcement material may be added, and/or relief cuts or apertures may be formed partially surrounding the valves. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the array components may be formed or assembled with the substrate at least partially in a cylindrical configuration, such as by bonding layers of the substrate together while the substrate is at least locally curved, forming at least one layer of the substrate as a tube, selectively forming cuts in the substrate (optionally with a femtosecond, picosecond, or other laser) to form fluid, circuit, or other components or allow for axial flexing and elongation (analogous to cutting a stent to allow for axial flexing and radial expansion) and/or to form at least some of the channels, and bonding the layers together after cutting.

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A, substrate 38 of array 32 may include one or more layers of flexible substrate material. The substrate layers may comprise known flexible and/or rigid microfluidic substrate materials, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyimide (PI), polyethylene (PE) and other polyolefins, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), nanocomposite polymer materials, glass, silicon, cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyester, polyurethane (PU), and/or the like. These and still further known materials may be included in other components of actuation array 32, including known polymers for use in balloons (which will often include PET, PI, PE, polyether block amide (PEBA) polymers such as PEBAX™ polymers, nylons, urethanes, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastics, and/or the like for non-compliant balloons; or silicone, polyurethane, semi-elastic nylons or other polymers, latex, and/or the like for compliant or semi-compliant balloons). Additional polymers than may be included in the substrate assembly may include valve actuation elements (optionally including shape memory alloy structures or foils; phase-change actuator materials such as paraffin or other wax, electrical field sensitive hydrogels, bimetallic actuators, piezoelectric structures, dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) materials, or the like). Hence, while some embodiments may employ homogenous materials for actuation array 32, many arrays and substrate may instead be heterogeneous.

Fortunately, techniques for forming and assembling the components for actuation array 32 may be derived from a number of recent (and relatively widely-reported) technologies. Suitable techniques for fabricating channels in substrate layer materials may include laser micromachining (optionally using femtosecond or picosecond lasers), photolithography techniques such as dry resist technologies, embossing (including hot roller embossing), casting or molding, xerographic technologies, microthermoforming, stereolithography, 3-D printing, and/or the like. Suitable 3-D printing technologies that may be used to form circuitry, valves, sensors, and the like may include stereolithography, digital light processing, laser sintering or melting, fused deposition modeling, inkjet printing, selective deposition lamination, electron beam melting, or the like. Assembly of the components of actuation array 32 may make use of thermal or adhesive bonding between layers and other components, though laser, ultrasound, or other welding techniques; microfasteners, or the like may also be used. Electrical element fabrication of conductive traces, actuation, signal processor, and/or sensor components carried by substrate 38 may, for example, use ink-jet or photolithography techniques, 3-D printing, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and/or more specific variants such as initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), robotic microassembly techniques, or the like, with the electrical traces and other components often comprising inks and other materials containing metals (such as silver, copper, or gold) carbon, or other conductors. Many suitable fabrication and assembly techniques have been developed during development of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip or lab-on-a-foil applications. Techniques for fabricating medical balloons are well developed, and may optionally be modified to take advantage of known high-volume production techniques (optionally including those developed for fabricating bubble wrap, for corrugating extruded tubing, and the like). Note that while some embodiments of the actuation array structures described herein may employ fluid channels sufficiently small for accurately handling of picoliter or nanoliter fluid quantities, other embodiments will include channels and balloons or other fluid-expandable bodies that utilize much larger flows so as to provide desirable actuation response times. Balloons having at least partially flexible balloon walls may provide particular advantages for the systems described herein, but alternative rigid fluid expandable bodies such as those employing pistons or other positive displacement expansion structures may also find use in some embodiments.

The structures of balloons 36 as included in actuation array 32 may be formed of material integral with other components of the array, or may be formed separately and attached to the array. Balloons 36 may be formed from or attached to a first sheet of substrate material that can be bonded or otherwise affixed to another substrate layer or layers. The material of the balloon layer may optionally cover portions of the channels directly, or may be aligned with apertures that open through an intermediate substrate layer surface between the channels and the balloons. Alternative methods for fabricating individual balloons are well known, and the formed balloons may be affixed to the substrate 38 by adhesive bonding. Balloon shapes may comprise relatively simple cylinders or may be somewhat tailored to taper to follow an expanded offset between loops of a coil, to curve with the cylindrical substrate and/or to engage interface surfaces of the skeleton over a broader surface area and thereby distribute actuation and environmental loads. Effective diameters of the balloons in the array may range from about 0.003 mm to as much as about 2 cm (or more), more typically being in a range from about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm or 5 mm, with the balloon lengths often being from about 2 to about 15 times the diameter. Typical balloon wall thicknesses may range from about 0.0002 mm to about 0.004 mm (with some balloon wall thicknesses being between 0.0002 mm and 0.020 mm), and full inflation pressures in the balloons may be from about 0.2 to about 40 atm, more typically being in a range from about 0.4 to about 30 atm, and in some embodiments being in a range from about 10 to about 30 atm, with high-pressure embodiments operating at pressures in a range as high as 20-45 atm and optionally having burst pressures of over 50 atm. Low pressure embodiments may have semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon wall materials and inflation pressures in a range from about 0.3 atm to about 11 atm.

Referring now to FIG. 5, balloons 36 will generally be inflated using a fluid supply system that includes a fluid source 54 (shown here as a pressurized single-use cartridge) and one or more valves 90. At least some of the valves 90 may be incorporated into the balloon array substrate, with the valves optionally being actuated using circuitry printed on one or more layers of substrate 38. With or without substrate-mounted valves that can be used within a patient body, at least some of the valves may be mounted to housing 14, or otherwise coupled to the proximal end of catheter 12. Valves 90 will preferably be coupled to channels 52 so as to allow the fluid system to selectively inflate any of a plurality of alternative individual balloons or subsets of balloons 36 included in actuation array 32, under the direction of a processor 60. Hence, processor 60 will often be coupled to valves 90 via conductors, the conductors here optionally including flex circuit traces on substrate 38.

Referring still to FIG. 5, fluid source 54 may optionally comprise a separate fluid reservoir and a pump for pressurizing fluid from the reservoir, but will often include a simple tank or cartridge containing a pressurized fluid, the fluid optionally being a gas or a gas-liquid mixture. The cartridge will often maintain the fluid at a supply pressure at or above a full inflation pressure range of balloons 36, with the cartridge optionally being gently heated by a resistive heater or the like (not shown) in housing 14 so as to maintain the supply pressure within a desired range in the cartridge during use. Supply pressures will typically exceed balloon inflation pressures sufficiently to provide balloon inflation times within a target threshold given the pressure loss through channels 52 and valves 90, with typical supply pressures being between 10 and 210 atm, and more typically being between 20 and 60 atm. Suitable fluids may include known medical pressurized gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, nitrous oxide, air, known industrial and cryogenic gasses such as helium and/or other inert or noble gasses, refrigerant gases including fluorocarbons, and the like. Note that the pressurized fluid in the canister can be directed via channels 52 into balloons 36 for inflation, or the fluid from the canister (often at least partially a gas) may alternatively be used to pressurize a fluid reservoir (often containing or comprising a benign biocompatible liquid such as water or saline) so that the balloon inflation fluid is different than that contained in the cartridge. Where a pressurized liquid or gas/liquid mixture flows distally along the catheter body, enthalpy of vaporization of the liquid in or adjacent to channels 52, balloons 36, or other tissue treatment tools carried on the catheter body (such as a tissue dilation balloon, cryogenic treatment surface, or tissue electrode) may be used to therapeutically cool tissue. In other embodiments, despite the use of fluids which are used as refrigerants within the body, no therapeutic cooling may be provided. The cartridge may optionally be refillable, but will often instead have a frangible seal so as to limit re-use.

As the individual balloons may have inflated volumes that are quite small, cartridges that are suitable for including in a hand-held housing can allow more than a hundred, optionally being more than a thousand, and in many cases more than ten thousand or even a hundred thousand individual balloon inflations, despite the cartridge containing less than 10 ounces of fluid, often less than 5 ounces, in most cases less than 3 ounces, and ideally less than 1 ounce. Note also that a number of alternative fluid sources may be used instead of or with a cartridge, including one or more positive displacement pumps (optionally such as simple syringe pumps), a peristaltic or rotary pump, any of a variety of microfluidic pressure sources (such as wax or other phase-change devices actuated by electrical or light energy and/or integrated into substrate 38), or the like. Some embodiments may employ a series of dedicated syringe or other positive displacement pumps coupled with at least some of the balloons by channels of the substrate, and/or by flexible tubing.

Referring still to FIG. 5, processor 60 can facilitate inflation of an appropriate subset of balloons 36 of actuation array 32 so as to produce a desired articulation. Such processor-derived articulation can significantly enhance effective operative coupling of the input 18 to the actuated portion 20 of catheter body 12, making it much easier for the user to generate a desired movement in a desired direction or to assume a desired shape. Suitable correlations between input commands and output movements have been well developed for teleoperated systems with rigid driven linkages. For the elongate flexible catheters and other bodies used in the systems described herein, it will often be advantageous for the processor to select a subset of balloons for inflation based on a movement command entered into a user interface 66 (and particularly input 18 of user interface 66), and on a spatial relationship between actuated portion 20 of catheter 12 and one or more component of the user interface. A number of differing correlations may be helpful, including orientational correlation, displacement correlation, and the like. Along with an input, user interface 66 may include a display showing actuated portion 20 of catheter body 12, and sensor 63 may provide signals to processor 60 regarding the orientation and/or location of proximal base 21. Where the relationship between the input, display, and sensor are known (such as when they are all mounted to proximal housing 14 or some other common base), these signals may allow derivation of a transformation between a user interface coordinate system and a base coordinate system of actuated portion 20. Alternative systems may sense or otherwise identify the relationships between the sensor coordinate system, the display coordinate system, and/or the input coordinate system so that movements of the input result in catheter movement, as shown in the display. Where the sensor comprises an image processor coupled to a remote imaging system (such as a fluoroscopy, MRI, or ultrasound system), high-contrast marker systems can be included in proximal base 21 to facilitate unambiguous determination of the base position and orientation. A battery or other power source (such as a fuel cell or the like) may be included in housing 14 and coupled to processor 60, with the housing and catheter optionally being used as a handheld unit free of any mechanical tether during at least a portion of the procedure. Nonetheless, it should be noted that processor 60 and/or sensor 63 may be wirelessly coupled or even tethered together (and/or to other components such as a separate display of user interface 66, an external power supply or fluid source, or the like).

Regarding processor 60, sensor 63, user interface 66, and the other data processing components of system 10, it should be understood that the specific data processing architectures described herein are merely examples, and that a variety of alternatives, adaptations, and embodiments may be employed. The processor, sensor, and user interface will, taken together, typically include both data processing hardware and software, with the hardware including an input (such as a joystick or the like that is movable relative to housing 14 or some other input base in at least 2 dimensions), an output (such as a medical image display screen), an image-acquisition device or other sensor, and one or more processor. These components are included in a processor system capable of performing the image processing, rigid-body transformations, kinematic analysis, and matrix processing functionality described herein, along with the appropriate connectors, conductors, wireless telemetry, and the like. The processing capabilities may be centralized in a single processor board, or may be distributed among the various components so that smaller volumes of higher-level data can be transmitted. The processor(s) will often include one or more memory or storage media, and the functionality used to perform the methods described herein will often include software or firmware embodied therein. The software will typically comprise machine-readable programming code or instructions embodied in non-volatile media, and may be arranged in a wide variety of alternative code architectures, varying from a single monolithic code running on a single processor to a large number of specialized subroutines being run in parallel on a number of separate processor sub-units.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, an alternative actuation array and fluid supply system are shown schematically. As in the above embodiment, balloons 36 are affixed along a major surface of substrate 38, optionally prior to rolling the substrate and mounting of the actuation array to the skeleton of the catheter body. In this embodiment, each balloon has an associated dedicated channel 52 of substrate 38, and also an associated valve 90. Processor 60 is coupled with valves 90, and by actuating a desired subset of the valves the associated subset of balloons can be inflated or deflated. In some embodiments, each valve can be associated with more than one balloon 36, so that (for example), opening of a single valve might inflate a plurality (optionally 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, or some other desired number) of balloons, such as laterally opposed balloons so as to elongate the distal portion of the catheter. In these or other embodiments, a plurality of balloons (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, or another desired number) on one lateral side of the catheter could be in fluid communication with a single associated valve 90 via a common channel or multiple channels so that opening of the valve inflates the balloons and causes a multi-balloon and multi-increment bend in the axis of the catheter. Still further variations are possible. For example, in some embodiments, channels 52 may be formed at least in-part by flexible tubes affixed within an open or closed channel of substrate 38, or glued along a surface of the substrate. The tubes may comprise polymers (such as polyimide, PET, nylon, or the like), fused silica, metal, or other materials, and suitable tubing materials may be commercially available from Polymicro Technologies of Arizona, or from a variety of alternative suppliers. The channels coupled to the proximal end of the actuatable body may be assembled using stacked fluidic plates, with valves coupled to some or all of the plates. Suitable electrically actuated microvalues are commercially available from a number of suppliers. Optional embodiments of fluid supply systems for all balloon arrays described herein may have all values mounted to housing 14 or some other structure coupled to and/or proximal of) the proximal end of the elongate flexible body. Advantageously, accurately formed channels 52 (having sufficiently tight tolerance channel widths, depths, lengths, and/or bends or other features) may be fabricated using microfluidic techniques, and may be assembled with the substrate structure, so as to meter flow of the inflation fluid into and out of the balloons of all of the actuation arrays described herein.

A variety of known lab-on-a-chip and lab-on-a-foil production techniques can be used to assemble and seal the substrate layers, with many embodiments employing thermal fusion bonding, solvent bonding, welding (and particularly ultrasound welding), UV-curable adhesives, contact adhesives, nano-adhesives (including doubly cross-linked nano-adhesive or DCNA), epoxy-containing polymers (including polyglycidyl methacrylate), plasma or other surface modifications, and/or the like between layers. For high fluid pressure systems, third generation nano-adhesive techniques such as CVD deposition of less than 400 nanometer layers of DCNA materials may facilitate the use of high-strength polymer materials such as PET. Channels of such high-pressure systems may optionally be defined at least in part by PET and/or fused silica tubing (which may be supported by a substrate along some or all of the channel, and/or may be bundled together with other fused silica tubing along some or all of its length ideally in an organized array with tubing locations corresponding to the balloon locations within the balloon array, analogous to the organization of a coherent fiber optic bundle), or the like. Any valves mounted to the substrate of the balloon array may be electrically actuated using conductive traces deposited on a surface of a substrate layer prior to bonding, with an overlying layer sealing the traces in the interior of the substrate. Valve members may move when a potential is applied to an actuation material using the traces, with that material optionally comprising a shape-memory alloy, piezoelectric, an electrically actuated polymer, or the like. Still further alternative actuation materials may include phase change materials such as wax or the like, with the phase change being induced by electrical energy or optical energy (such as laser light transmitted via an optical fiber or printed pathway between layers of the substrate). In some embodiments, the actuation material and valve member may be formed using 3-D printing techniques. Multiplex circuitry may be included in, deposited on a layer of, or affixed to substrate 38 so that the number of electrical traces extending proximally along catheter body 12 may be less than the number of valves that can be actuated by those valves. The valves may take any of a wide variety of forms, and may employ (or be derived from) known valve structures such as known electrostatically-actuated elastomeric microfluidic valves, microfluidic polymer piston or free-floating gate valves, layered modular polymeric microvalves, dielectric elastomer actuator valves, shape memory alloy microvalves, hydrogel microactuator valves, integrated high-pressure fluid manipulation valves employing paraffin, and the like. Along with electrically actuated microvalves, suitable valves may be optically actuated, fluid actuated, or the like.

It should be understood that many of the valves shown herein are schematic, and that additional or more complex valves and channel systems may be included to control inflation and deflation of the balloons. One or more valves in the system may comprise gate valves (optionally normally closed, normally open or stable), so as to turn inflation fluid flow from the fluid source to at least one balloon on or off. Deflation may optionally be controlled by a separate gate valve between each balloon (or groups of balloons) and one or more deflation port of substrate 38 (the fluid from the balloon optionally exiting from the substrate to flow proximally between radially inner and outer sealed layers of the catheter) or housing 14. Alternative 2-way valves may allow i) communication between either the fluid source and the balloon (with flow from the balloon being blocked), or ii) between the balloon and the deflation outflow (with the flow from the fluid source being blocked). Still further alternatives may be employed, including a 3 way valve having both of the above modes and iii) a sealed balloon mode in which the balloon is sealed from communication with the fluid source and from the deflation outflow (with flow from the source also being closed).

Referring now to FIG. 6, components of an exemplary catheter articulation system 292 can be seen, with these components generally being suitable for use in catheter system 1 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, a catheter 294 has a distal articulated portion 296, with the articulated portion optionally including axially separate articulation sub-portions or segments, and alternatively having a single relatively continuously articulated length. An insertion sheath/input assembly 295 is included in the system user interface, and both assembly 295 and the proximal end of catheter 294 are detachably coupleable with a proximal housing 298 using flexible cables (and quick-disconnect couplers), with the housing containing a battery, a processor, a replaceable compressed fluid cartridge, valves, and the like. Housing 298 also includes or contains additional components of the user interface, and is sized for positioning by a single hand of a user, but need not be moved during use of catheter 294. Commands to effect automated bending and elongation of distal portion 296 during use may optionally be input into the system by bending and axial insertion of input 297 relative to a proximal body of the introducer sheath, thereby employing manual movements of the user which are already familiar to physicians that employ catheter-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Regarding some of the user interface components of articulation system 292, use of input 297 for controlling the articulation state of catheter 294 will be described in more detail hereinbelow. In addition to input 297, a number of additional (or alternative) user interface components may be employed. As generally indicated above, the user interface may include a housing affixed to a proximal end of catheter 294, with the housing having a joystick as described above regarding FIG. 1-1. Trackballs or touchpads may be provided in place of a joystick, and as the catheters and other structures described herein may have more than two degrees of freedom, some embodiments may include two offset joysticks, with a more proximal joystick on the handle being used to laterally deflect the catheter along a proximal X-Y segment and a more distal joystick of the same handle being used to laterally deflect the catheter along a more distal X′-Y′ segment. These two deflections may be used to enter movement commands in a manner analogous to positioning of a robotic base using the first joystick and then articulating a wrist mounted to that base with the second joystick, with the joysticks providing either position or velocity control input to the catheter system. An input wheel with a surface that rolls along the axis of the housing can be used for entering axial elongation movement commands, and the housing may have a circumferential wheel that can be turned by the system user to help provide a desired alignment between an orientation of the housing relative to the lateral deflections of the catheter as seen in the remote imaging display. Still further alternative user interface systems may employ computer workstations such as those of known robotic catheter or robotic surgical systems, which may include one or more 3-D joysticks (optionally including an input allowing 4D, 5D, or even more degrees of freedom), housings mimicking those of mechanically steerable catheter systems, or the like. As seen in the embodiment of FIG. 6, still further optional components include a touchscreen (which may show a graphical representation of distal articulated portion 296 (one or more segments of which can be touch-selected and highlighted so that they articulate in response to movement of input 297), pushbuttons, or the like. Still further alternative user interface components may include voice control, gesture recognition, stereoscopic glasses, virtual reality displays, and/or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative coaxial balloon/coil arrangement can be understood. In these embodiments, balloons 364 are mounted over a coil 366, with a plurality of the balloons typically being formed from a continuous tube of material that extends along the helical axis of the coil. The balloon material will generally have a diameter that varies locally, with the balloons being formed from locally larger diameter regions of the tube, and the balloons being separated by sealing engagement between the tube material and coil therein at locally smaller diameters of the tube. The variation in diameter may be formed by locally blowing the balloons outward from an initial tube diameter, by locally heat-shrinking and/or axially stretching the tube down from an initial tube diameter, or both, and adhesive or heat-bonding between the tube and coil core therein may enhance sealing. In alternative embodiments, metal rings may be crimped around the tubular balloon material to affix (and optionally seal) the tube to the underlying helical coil, with the rings and crimping optionally employing marker band structures and associated techniques. Some or even all of the variation in diameter of the balloon material along the coil may be imposed by the crimped rings, though selective heat shrinking and/or blowing of the balloons and/or laser thermal bonding of the balloon to the coil may be combined with the crimps to provide the desired balloon shape and sealing. Regardless, fluid communication between the inner volume of the balloon (between the balloon wall and the coil core) may be provided through a radial port to an associated lumen within the coil core. As can be understood with reference to coil assembly 360 of FIG. 7, the balloons may have outer surface shapes similar to those described above, and may similarly be aligned along one or more lateral bending orientations. As can be understood with reference to assemblies 360 and 362 of FIGS. 7 and 8, bend angles and radii of curvature of the catheter adjacent the balloon arrays may be determined by an axial spacing (and/or number of loops) between balloons, and/or by selective inflation of a subset of balloons (such as by inflating every other balloon aligned along a particular lateral axis, every third aligned balloon, every forth aligned balloon, and so on).

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, a still further embodiment of an articulated catheter includes first and second interleaved helical multi-lumen balloon fluid supply/support structures 440 a, 440 b, along with first and second resilient helical coils 442 a, 442 b. In this embodiment, a series of balloons (not shown) are mounted around each of the multi-lumen structures, with the balloons spaced so as to be aligned along three lateral bending orientations that are offset from each other around the axis of the catheter by 120 degrees. Six lumens are provided in each multi-lumen structure, 440 a, 440 b, with one dedicated inflation lumen and one dedicated deflation lumen for each of the three lateral bending orientations. Radial fluid communication ports between the lumens and associated balloons may be provided by through cuts through pairs of the lumens.

By spacing the cuts 444 a, 444 b, 444 c, as shown, and by mounting balloons over the cuts, the inflation and deflation lumens can be used to inflate and deflate a subset of balloons aligned along each of the three bending orientations. Advantageously, a first articulated segment having such a structure can allow bending of the catheter axis in any combination of the three bend orientations by inflating a desired subset of the balloons along that segment. Optionally, the bend angle for that subset may be controlled by the quantity and/or pressure of fluid transmitted to the balloons using the 6 lumens of just one multi-lumen structure (for example, 440 a), allowing the segment to function in a manner analogous to a robotic wrist. Another segment of the catheter axially offset from the first segment can have a similar arrangement of balloons that are supplied by the 6 lumens of the other multi-lumen structure (in our example, 440 b), allowing the catheter to position and orient the end of the catheter with flexibility analogous to that of a serial wrist robotic manipulators. In other embodiments, at least some of the balloons supplied by the two multi-lumen structures may axially overlap, for example, to allow increasing bend angles and/or decreasing bend radii by combining inflation of overlapping subsets of the balloons. Note also that a single lumen may be used for both inflation and deflation of the balloons, and that multi-lumen structures of more than 6 lumens may be provided, so that still further combinations these degrees of freedom may be employed.

In the embodiment illustrated in the side view of FIG. 9 and in the cross-section of FIG. 10, the outer diameter of the helical coils is about 0.130 inches. Multi-lumen structures 440 a, 440 b have outer diameters in a range from about 0.020 inches to about 0.030 inches (optionally being about 0.027 inches), with the lumens having inner diameters of about 0.004 inches and the walls around each lumen having a minimum thickness of 0.004 inches. Despite the use of inflation pressures of 20 atm or more, the small diameters of the lumens help limit the strain on the helical core structures, which typically comprise polymer, ideally being extruded. Rather than including a resilient wire or the like in the multi-lumen structure, axial compression of the balloons (and straightening of the catheter axis after deflation) is provided primarily by use of a metal in coils 442 a, 442 b. Opposed concave axial surfaces of coils 442 help maintain radial positioning of the balloons and multi-lumen structures between the coils. Affixing the ends of resilient coils 442 and balloon supply/support structures 440 together to the inner and outer sheaths at the ends of the coils, and optionally between segments may help maintain the helical shapes as well. Increasing the axial thickness of coils 442 and the depth of the concave surfaces may also be beneficial to help maintain alignment, with the coils then optionally comprising polymer structures. Still other helical-maintaining structures may be included in most or all of the helical embodiments described herein, including periodic structures that are affixed to coils 442 or other helical skeleton members, the periodic structures having protrusions that extend between balloons and can engage the ends of the inflated balloon walls to maintain or index lateral balloon orientations.

Many of the embodiments described herein provide fluid-driven articulation of catheters, guidewires, and other elongate flexible bodies. Advantageously, such fluid driven articulation can rely on very simple (and small cross-section) fluid transmission along the elongate body, with most of the forces being applied to the working end of the elongate body reacting locally against the surrounding environment rather than being transmitted back to a proximal handle or the like. This may provide a significant increase in accuracy of articulation, decrease in hysteresis, as well as a simpler and lower cost articulation system, particularly when a large number of degrees of freedom are to be included. Note that the presence of relatively high pressure fluid, and/or low temperature fluid, and/or electrical circuitry adjacent the distal end of an elongate flexible body may also be used to enhance the functionality of tools carried by the body, particularly by improving or adding diagnostic tools, therapeutic tools, imaging or navigations tools, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a radially elongate polymer helical balloon core structure 450 generally has a cross section with a radial thickness 452 that is significantly greater than its axial thickness 454. Radial thickness 452 may optionally be, for example 80% or more of the inflated diameter of the surrounding balloon, while axial thickness 454 may be between 20% and 75% of the inflated diameter. As compared to a circular core cross-section, such an elongate cross-section provides additional territory for balloon lumens extending within the coil core (allowing more lumens and separately inflatable balloons or groups of balloons, and/or allowing larger lumen sizes for faster actuation times) with the same the axial actuation stroke of the surrounding balloon. The exemplary cross-sectional shapes include elliptical or other continuously curved shapes to facilitate sealing engagement with the surrounding balloon wall material, with an alternative having proximal and distal regions with circular curvatures corresponding to those of the inflated balloon (so as to enhance axially compressive force transmission against an axially indented coil spring surface configured to evenly engage the inflated balloon).

Referring now to FIGS. 17A and 17B, articulation system components related to those of FIGS. 9-11 can be seen. Two multi-lumen polymer helical cores 440 can be interleaved with axially concave helical springs along the articulated portion of a catheter. Curved transition zones extend proximal of the helical cores to axially straight multi-lumen extensions 540, which may extend along a passive (unarticulated) section of the catheter, or which may extend through articulated segments that are driven by fluid transmitted by other structures (not shown).

Extensions 540 extend proximally into a valve assembly 542 so as to provide fluid communication between fluid pathways of the valve assembly and the balloons of the articulated segment. Valve assembly 542 includes an axial series of modular valve units 542 a, 542 b, 542 c, etc. Endplates and bolts seal fluid paths within the valve assembly and hold the units in place. Each valve assembly 542 includes at least one fluid control valve 544, and preferably two or more valves. The valves may comprise pressure modulating valves that sense and control pressure, gate valves, three-way valves (to allow inflation fluid along a channel to one or more associated balloons, to seal inflation fluid in the inflation channel and associated balloons while flow from the fluid source is blocked, and to allow inflation fluid from the channels and balloons to be released. O-rings provide sealing between the valves and around the extensions 540, and unthreading the bolts may release pressure on the o-rings and allow the extensions to be pulled distally from the valve assembly, thereby providing a simple quick-disconnect capability. Radial ports 546 are axially spaced along extensions 540 to provide fluid communication between the valves and associated lumens of the multi-lumen polymer extensions, transitions, and helical coils. Advantageously, where a greater or lesser number of inflation channels will be employed, more or fewer valve units may be axially stacked together. While valves 544 are here illustrated with external fluid tubing connectors (to be coupled to the fluid source or the like), the fluid paths to the valves may alternatively also be included within the modular valve units, for example, with the fluid supply being transmitted to each of the valves along a header lumen that extends axially along the assembly and that is sealed between the valve units using additional o-rings or the like.

Many of the flexible articulated devices described above rely on inflation of one or more balloons to articulate a structure from a first resting state to a second state in which a skeleton of the flexible structure is resiliently stressed. By deflating the balloons, the skeleton can urge the flexible structure back toward the original resting state. This simple system may have advantages for many applications. Nonetheless, there may be advantages to alternative systems in which a first actuator or set of actuators urges a flexible structure from a first state (for example, a straight configuration) to a second state (for example, a bent or elongate configuration), and in which a second actuator or set of actuators are mounted in opposition to the first set such that the second can actively and controllably urge the flexible structure from the second state back to the first state. Toward that end, exemplary systems described below often use a first set of balloons to locally axially elongate a structural skeleton, and a second set of balloons mounted to the skeleton to locally axially contract the structural skeleton. Note that the skeletons of such opposed balloon systems may have very little lateral or axial stiffness (within their range of motion) when no balloons are inflated.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a simplified exemplary C-channel structural skeleton 630 (or portion or cross section of a skeleton) is shown in an axially extended configuration (in FIG. 13), and in an axially contracted configuration (in FIG. 14). C-frame skeleton 630 includes an axial series of C-channel members or frames 632 extending between a proximal end 634 and a distal end 636, with each rigid C-channel including an axial wall 638, a proximal flange 640, and a distal flange 642 (generically referenced as flanges 640). The opposed major surfaces of the walls 644, 646 are oriented laterally, and the opposed major surfaces of the flanges 648, 650 are oriented axially (and more specifically distally and proximally, respectively. The C-channels alternate in orientation so that the frames are interlocked by the flanges. Hence, axially adjacent frames overlap, with the proximal and distal surfaces 650, 648 of two adjacent frames defining an overlap offset 652. The flanges also define additional offsets 654, with these offsets being measured between flanges of adjacent similarly oriented frames.

In the schematics of FIGS. 13 and 14, three balloons are disposed in the channels of each C-frame 632. Although the balloons themselves may (or may not) be structurally similar, the balloons are of two different functional types: extension balloons 660 and contraction balloons 662. Both types of balloons are disposed axially between a proximally oriented surface of a flange that is just distal of the balloon, and a distally oriented surface of a flange that is just proximal of the balloon. However, contraction balloons 662 are also sandwiched laterally between a first wall 638 of a first adjacent C-channel 632 and a second wall of a second adjacent channel. In contrast, extension balloons 660 have only a single wall on one lateral side; the opposite sides of extension balloons 660 are not covered by the frame (though they will typically be disposed within a flexible sheath or other components of the overall catheter system).

A comparison of C-frame skeleton 630 in the elongate configuration of FIG. 13 to the skeleton in the short configuration of FIG. 14 illustrates how selective inflation and deflation of the balloons can be used to induce axial extension and contraction. Note that the C-frames 632 are shown laterally reversed from each other in these schematics. In FIG. 13, extension balloons 660 are being fully inflated, pushing the adjacent flange surfaces apart so as to increase the axial separation between the associated frames. As two contraction balloons 662 are disposed in each C-channel with a single extension balloon, and as the size of the channel will not significantly increase, the contraction balloons will often be allowed to deflate at least somewhat with expansion of the extension balloons. Hence, offsets 654 will be urged to expand, and contraction offsets 652 will be allowed to decrease. In contrast, when skeleton 630 is to be driven toward the axially contracted configuration of FIG. 14, the contraction balloons 662 are inflated, thereby pushing the flanges of the overlapping frames axially apart to force contraction overlap 652 to increase and axially pull the local skeleton structure into a shorter configuration. To allow the two contraction balloons 662 to expand within a particular C-channel, the expansion balloons 660 can be allowed to deflate.

While the overall difference between C-frame skeleton 630 in the contracted configuration and in the extended configuration is significant (and such skeletons may find advantagous uses), it is worthwhile noting that the presence of one extension balloon and two contraction balloons in a single C-channel may present disadvantages as compared to other extension/contraction frame arrangements described herein. In particular, the use of three balloons in one channel can limit the total stroke or axial change in the associated offset that some of the balloons may be able to impose. Even if similar balloon/core assemblies are used as extension and contraction balloons in a three-balloon wide C-channel, the two contraction balloons may only be used for about half of the stroke of the single extension balloon, as the single extension stroke in the channel may not accommodate two full contractions strokes. Moreover, there are advantages to limiting the number of balloon/core assemblies used in a single articulated segment.

Note that whichever extension/contraction skeleton configuration is selected, the axial change in length of the skeleton that is induced when a particular subset of balloons are inflated and deflated will often be local, optionally both axially local (for example, so as to change a length along a desired articulated segment without changing lengths of other axial segments) and—where the frames extend laterally and/or circumferentially—laterally local (for example, so as to impose a lateral bend by extending one lateral side of the skeleton without changing an axial length of the other lateral side of the skeleton). Note also that use of the balloons in opposition will often involve coordinated inflating and deflating of opposed balloons to provide a maximum change in length of the skeleton. There are significant advantages to this arrangement, however, in that the ability to independently control the pressure on the balloons positioned on either side of a flange (so as to constrain an axial position of that flange) allows the shape and the position or pose of the skeleton to be modulated. If both balloons are inflated evenly at with relatively low pressures (for example, at less that 10% of full inflation pressures), the flange may be urged to a middle position between the balloons, but can move resiliently with light environmental forces by compressing the gas in the balloons, mimicking a low-spring force system. If both balloons are evenly inflated but with higher pressures, the skeleton may have the same nominal or resting pose, but may then resist deformation from that nominal pose with a greater stiffness.

An alternative S-channel skeleton 670 is shown schematically in contracted and extended configurations in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively, which may have both an improved stroke efficiency (giving a greater percent change in axial skeleton length for an available balloon stroke) and have fewer components than skeleton 632. S-skeleton 670 has many of the components and interactions described above regarding C-frame skeleton 630, but is here formed of structural S-channel members or frames 672. Each S-channel frame 672 has two walls 644 and three flanges 640, the proximal wall of the frame having a distal flange that is integral with the proximal flange of the distal wall of that frame. Axially adjacent S-channels are again interlocked, and in this embodiment, each side of the S-channel frame has a channel that receives one extension balloon 660 and one contraction balloon 662. This allows all extension balloons and all contraction balloons to take full advantage of a common stroke. Moreover, while there are two extension balloons for each contraction balloon, every other extension balloon may optionally be omitted without altering the basic extension/contraction functionality (though the forces available for extension may be reduced). In other words, if the extension balloons 660′ as marked with an X were omitted, the skeleton could remain fully constrained throughout the same nominal range of motion. Hence, S-channel frame 672 may optionally use three or just two sets of opposed balloons for a particular articulation segment.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a modified C-frame skeleton 680 has components that share aspects of both C-frame skeleton 630 and S-frame skeleton 670, and may offer advantages over both in at least some embodiments. Modified C skeleton 680 has two different generally C-frames or members: a C-frame 682, and a bumper C-frame 684. C-frame 682 and bumper frame 64 both have channels defined by walls 644 and flanges 648 with an axial width to accommodate two balloon assemblies, similar to the channels of the S-frames 672. Bumper frame 684 also has a protrusion or nub 686 that extends from one flange axially into the channel. The adjacent axial surfaces of these different frame shapes engage each other at the nub 686, allowing the frames to pivot relative to each other and facilitating axial bending of the overall skeleton, particularly when using helical frame members. A portion 661 of skeleton 680 adjacent the contraction balloons is urged to contract axially by the inflation of the contraction balloons.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, a relationship between the schematic extension/retraction frame illustration of FIGS. 13-17 and a first exemplary three dimensional skeleton geometry can be understood. To form an axisymmetric ring-frame skeleton structure 690 from the schematic modified C-frame skeleton 680 of FIG. 18, the geometry of frame members 682, 684 can be rotated about an axis 688, resulting in annular or ring frames 692, 694. These ring frames retain the wall and flange geometry described above, but now with annular wall and flanges being interlocked. The annular C-frames 682, 684 were facing different directions in schematic skeleton 680, so that outer C-frame ring 692 has an outer wall (sometimes being referred to as outer ring frame 692) and a channel that opens radially inwardly, while bumper C-frame ring 694 has a channel that is open radially outwardly and an inner wall (so that this frame is sometimes referred to as the inner ring frame 694). Ring nub 696 remains on inner ring frame 694, but could alternatively be formed on the adjacent surface of the outer ring frame (or using corresponding features on both). Note that nub 696 may add more value where the frame deforms with bending (for example, the frame deformation with articulation of the helical frame structures described below) as the deformation may involve twisting that causes differential angels of the adjacent flange faces. Hence, a non-deforming ring frame structure might optionally omit the nub in some implementations.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, uniform axial extension and contraction of a segment of ring-frame skeleton 690 is performed largely as described above. To push uniformly about the axis of the ring frames, three balloons are distributed evenly about the axis between the flanges (with centers separated by 120 degrees). The balloons are shown here as spheres for simplicity, and are again separated into extension balloons 660 and contraction balloons 662. In the straight extended configuration of FIG. 20, the extension balloons 660 of the segment are all fully inflated, while the contraction balloons 662 are all fully deflated. In an intermediate length configuration shown in FIG. 21, both sets of balloons 660, 662 are in an intermediate inflation configuration. In the short configuration of FIG. 22, contraction balloons 662 are all fully inflated, while extension balloons 660 are deflated. Note that the state of the balloons remains axisymmetrical, so that the lengths on all lateral sides of the ring frame skeleton 690 remain consistent and the axis of the skeleton remains straight.

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B, lateral bending or deflection of the axis of ring-frame skeleton 690 can be accomplished by differential lateral inflation of subsets of the extension and contraction balloons. There are three balloons distributed about the axis between each pair of articulated flanges, so that the extension balloons 660 are divided into three sets 660 i, 660 ii, and 660 iii. Similarly, there are three sets of contraction balloons 662 i, 662 ii, and 662 iii. The balloons of each set are aligned along the same lateral orientation from the axis. In some exemplary embodiments, each set of extension balloons (extension balloons 660 i, extension balloons 660 ii, and extension balloons 660 iii) along a particular segment is coupled to an associated inflation fluid channel (for example, a channel i for extension balloons 660 i, a channel ii for extension balloons 660 ii, and a channel iii for extension balloons 660 iii, the channels not shown here). Similarly, each set of contraction balloons 662 i, 662 ii, and 662 iii is coupled to an associated inflation channel (for example, channels iv, v, and vi, respectively) so that there are a total of 6 lumens or channels per segment (providing three degrees of freedom and three orientation-related stiffnesses). Other segments may have separate fluid channels to provide separate degrees of freedom, and alternative segments may have fewer than 6 fluid channels. Regardless, by selectively deflating the extension balloons of a first lateral orientation 660 i and inflating the opposed contraction balloons 662 i, a first side of ring frame skeleton 690 can be shortened. By selectively inflating the extension balloons of the other orientations 660 ii, 660 iii, and by selectively deflating the contraction balloons of those other orientations 662 ii, 662 iii, the laterally opposed portion of ring frame skeleton 690 can be locally extended, causing the axis of the skeleton to bend. By modulating the amount of elongation and contraction distributed about the three opposed extension/contraction balloon orientations, the skeleton pose can be smoothly and continuously moved and controlled in three degrees of freedom.

Referring now to FIGS. 23A and 23B, as described above with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, while it is possible to include balloons between all the separated flanges so as to maximize available extension forces and the like, there may be advantages to foregoing kinematically redundant balloons in the system for compactness, simplicity, and cost. Toward that end, ring frame skeletons having 1-for-1 opposed extension and contraction balloons (660 i, 660 ii, and 660 iii; and 662 i, 662 ii, and 662 iii) can provide the same degrees of freedom and range of motion as provided by the segments of FIGS. 22A and 22B (including two transverse X-Y lateral bending degrees of freedom and an axial Z degree of freedom), and can also control stiffness, optionally differentially modulating stiffness of the skeleton in different orientations in 3D space. The total degrees of freedom of such a segment may appropriately be referenced as being 4-D (X,Y,Z,&S for Stiffness), with the stiffness degree of freedom optionally having 3 orientational components (so as to provide as many as 5-D or 6-D. Regardless, the 6 fluid channels may be used to control 4 degrees of freedom of the segment.

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 23C-23E and 23H, elongate flexible bodies having ring-frame skeletons 690′ with larger numbers of inner and outer ring frames 692, 694 (along with associated larger numbers of extension and retraction balloons) will often provide a greater range of motion than those having fewer ring frames. The elongation or Z axis range of motion that can be provided by balloon articulation array may be expressed as a percentage of the overall length of the structure, with larger percentage elongations providing greater ranges of motion. The local changes in axial length that a balloon array may be able to produce along a segment having ring frames 690, 690′ (or more generally having the extension contraction skeleton systems described herein) may be in a range of from about 1 percent to about 45 percent, typically being from about 2½ percent to about 25 percent, more typically being from about 5 percent to about 20 percent, and in many cases being from about 7½ percent to about 17½ percent of the overall length of the skeleton. Hence, the longer axial segment length of ring frame skeleton 690′ will provide a greater axial range of motion between a contracted configuration (as shown in FIG. 23E) and an extended configuration (as shown in FIG. 23C), while still allowing control throughout a range of intermediate axial length states (as shown in FIG. 23D).

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23D and 23H, setting the balloon pressures so as to axially contract one side of a ring frame skeleton 690′ (having a relatively larger number of ring frames) and axially extend the other side laterally bends or deflects the axis of the skeleton through a considerable angle (as compared to a ring frame skeleton having fewer ring frames), with each frame/frame interface typically between 1 and 15 degrees of axial bend angle, more typically being from about 2 to about 12 degrees, and often being from about 3 to about 8 degrees. A catheter or other articulated elongate flexible body having a ring frame skeleton may be bent with a radius of curvature (as measured at the axis of the body) of between 2 and 20 times an outer diameter of the skeleton, more typically being from about 2.25 to about 15 times, and most often being from about 2.4 to about 8 times. While more extension and contraction balloons 660, 662 are used to provide this range of motion, the extension and contraction balloon subsets (660 i, 660 ii, and 660 iii; and 662 i, 662 ii, and 662 iii) may still each be supplied by a single common fluid supply lumen. For example 6 fluid supply channels may each be used to inflate and deflate 16 balloons in the embodiment shown, with the balloons on a single lumen being extension balloons 660 i aligned along one lateral orientation.

As can be understood with reference to ring frame skeleton 690′ in the straight configuration of FIG. 23D, in the continuously bent configuration of FIG. 23H, and in the combined straight and bent configuration of FIG. 23F, exemplary embodiments of the elongate skeleton 690′ and actuation array balloon structures described herein may be functionally separated into a plurality of axial segments 690 i, 690 ii. Note that many or most of the skeleton components (including frame members or axial series of frame members, and the like) and actuation array components (including the substrate and/or core, some or all of the fluid channels, the balloon outer tube or sheath material, and the like), along with many of the other structures of the elongate flexible body (such as the inner and outer sheaths, electrical conductors and/or optical conduits for diagnostic, therapeutic, sensing, navigation, valve control, and other functions) may extend continuously along two or more axial segments with few or no differences between adjacent segments, and optionally without any separation in the functional capabilities between adjacent segments. For example, an articulated body having a two-segment ring frame skeleton 690′ system as shown in FIG. 23H may have a continuous axial series of inner and outer ring frames 692, 694 that extends across the interface between the joints such that the two segments can be bent in coordination with a constant bend radius by directing similar inflation fluid quantities and pressures along the fluid supply channels associated with the two separate segments. As can be understood with reference to FIG. 23G, other than differing articulation states of the segments, there may optionally be few or no visible indications of where one segment ends and another begins.

Despite having many shared components (and a very simple and relatively continuous overall structure), functionally separating an elongate skeleton into segments provides tremendous flexibility and adaptability to the overall articulation system. Similar bend radii may optionally be provided with differing stiffnesses by applying appropriately differing pressures to the opposed balloons 660, 662 of two (or more) segments 690 i, 690 ii. Moreover, as can be understood with reference to FIG. 23F, two (or more) different desired bend radii, and/or two different lateral bend orientations and/or two different axial segments lengths can be provided by applying differing inflation fluid supply pressures to the opposed contraction/extension balloon sets 660 i, 660 ii, 660 iii, 662 i, 662 ii, 662 iii of the segments. Note that the work spaces of single-segment and two-segment systems may overlap so that both types of systems may be able to place an end effector or tool at a desired position in 3D space (or even throughout a desired range of locations), but multiple-segment systems will often be able to achieve additional degrees of freedom, such as allowing the end effector or tool to be oriented in one or more rotational degrees of freedom in 6D space. As shown in FIG. 23J, articulated systems having more than two segments offer still more flexibility, with this embodiment of ring frame skeleton 690′ having 4 functional segments 690 a, 690 b, 690 c, and 690 d. Note that still further design alternatives may be used to increase functionality and cost/complexity of the system for a desired workspace, such as having segments of differing length (such as providing a relatively short distal segment 690 a supported by a longer segment having the combined lengths of 690 b, 690 c, and 690 d. While many of the multi-segment embodiments have been shown and described with reference to to planar configurations of the segments where all the segments lie in a single plane and are either straight or in a fully bent configuration, it should also be fully understood that the plurality of segments 690 i, 690 ii, etc., may bend along differing planes and with differing bend radii, differing axial elongation states, and/or differing stiffness states, as can be understood with reference to FIG. 23I.

Catheters and other elongate flexible articulated structures having ring frame skeletons as described above with reference to FIGS. 19-23I provide tremendous advantages in flexibility and simplicity over known articulation systems, particularly for providing large numbers of degrees of freedom and when coupled with any of the fluid supply systems described herein. Suitable ring frames may be formed of polymers (such as nylons, urethanes, PEBAX, PEEK, HDPE, UHDPE, or the like) or metals (such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, silver, alloys, or the like), optionally using 3D printing, injection molding, laser welding, adhesive bonding, or the like. Articulation balloon substrate structures may initially be fabricated and the balloon arrays assembled with the substrates in a planar configuration as described above, with the arrays then being assembled with and/or mounted on the skeletons, optionally with the substrates being adhesively bonded to the radially inner surfaces of the inner rings and/or to the radially outer surfaces of the outer rings, and with helical or serpentine axial sections of the substrate bridging between ring frames. While extension and retraction balloons 660, 662 associated with the ring frame embodiments are shown as spherical herein, using circumferentially elongate (and optionally bent) balloons may increase an area of the balloon/skeleton interface, and thereby enhance axial contraction and extension forces. A huge variety of modifications might also be made to the general ring-frame skeletal arrangement and the associated balloon arrays. For example, rather than circumferentially separating the balloons into three lateral orientations, alternative embodiments may have four lateral orientations (+X, −X, +Y, and −Y) so that four sets of contraction balloons are mounted to the frame in opposition to four sets of extension balloons. Regardless, while ring-frame skeletons have lots of capability and flexibility and are relatively geometrically simple so that their functionality is relatively easy to understand, alternative extension/contraction articulation systems having helical skeleton members (as described below) may be more easily fabricated and/or more easily assembled with articulation balloon array components, particularly when using the advantageous helical multi-lumen core substrates and continuous balloon tube structures described above.

First reviewing components of an exemplary helical frame contraction/expansion articulation system, FIGS. 24A-24E illustrate actuation balloon array components and their use in a helical balloon assembly. FIGS. 24F and 24G illustrate exemplary outer and inner helical frame members. After reviewing these components, the structure and use of exemplary helical contraction/expansion articulation systems (sometimes referred to herein as helical push/pull systems) can be understood with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 24A and 24B, an exemplary multi-lumen conduit or balloon assembly core shaft has a structure similar to that of the core described above with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. Core 702 has a proximal end 704 and a distal end 706 with a multi-lumen body 708 extending therebetween. A plurality of lumens 710 a, 710 b, 710 c, . . . extend between the proximal and distal ends. The number of lumens included in a single core 702 may vary between 3 and 30, with exemplary embodiments have 3, 7 (of which one is a central lumen), 10 (including 1 central), 13 (including 1 central), 17 (one being central), or the like. The multi-lumen core will often be round but may alternatively have an elliptical or other elongate cross-section as described above. When round, core 702 may have a diameter 712 in a range from about 0.010″ to about 1″, more typically being in a range from about 0.020″ to about 0.250″, and ideally being in a range from about 0.025″ to about 0.100″ for use in catheters. Each lumen will typically have a diameter 714 in a range from about 0.0005″ to about 0.05″, more preferably having a diameter in a range from about 0.001″ to about 0.020″, and ideally having a diameter in a range from about 0.0015″ to about 0.010″. The core shafts will typically comprise extruded polymer such as a nylon, urethane, PEBAX, PEEK, PET, other polymers identified above, or the like, and the extrusion will often provide a wall thickness surrounding each lumen of more than about 0.0015″, often being about 0.003″ or more. The exemplary extruded core shown has an OD of about 0.0276″″, and 7 lumens of about 0.004″ each, with each lumen surrounded by at least 0.004″ of the extruded nylon core material.

Referring still to FIGS. 24A and 24B, the lumens of core 702 may have radial balloon/lumen ports 716 a, 716 b, 716 c, . . . , with each port comprising one or more holes formed through the wall of core 702 and into an associated lumen 710 a, 710 b, 710 c, . . . respectively. The ports are here shown as a group of 5 holes, but may be formed using 1 or more holes, with the holes typically being round but optionally being axially elongate and/or shaped so as to reduce pressure drop of fluid flow therethrough. In other embodiments (and particularly those having a plurality of balloons supplied with inflation fluid by a single lumen), having a significant pressure drop between the lumen and the balloon may help even the inflation state of balloons, so that a total cross section of each port may optionally be smaller than a cross-section of the lumen (and/or by limiting the ports to one or two round lumens). Typical ports may be formed using 1 to 10 holes having diameters that are between 10% of a diameter of the associated lumen and 150% of the diameter of the lumen, often being from 25% to 100%, and in many cases having diameters of between 0.001″ and 0.050″. Where more than one hole is included in a port they will generally be grouped together within a span that is shorter than a length of the balloons, as each port will be contained within an associated balloon. Spacing between the ports will correspond to a spacing between balloons to facilitate sealing of each balloon from the axially adjacent balloons.

Regarding which lumens open to which ports, the ports along a distal portion of the core shaft will often be formed in sets, with each set being configured to provide fluid flow to and from an associated set of balloons that will be distributed along the loops of the core (once the core is bent to a helical configuration) for a particular articulated segment of the articulated flexible body. When the number of lumens in the core is sufficient, there will often be separate sets of ports for different segments of the articulated device. The ports of each set will often form a periodic pattern along the axis of the multi-lumen core 702, so that the ports provide fluid communication into M different lumens (M being the number of different balloon orientations that are to be distributed about the articulated device axis, often being 3 or 4, i.e., lumen 710 a, lumen 710 b, and lumen 710 c) and the pattern repeating N times (N often being the number of contraction balloons along each orientation of a segment). Hence, the multi-lumen core conduit can function as a substrate that supports the balloons, and that defines the balloon array locations and associated fluid supply networks described above. Separate multi-lumen cores 702 and associated balloon arrays may be provided for contraction and expansion balloons.

As one example, a port pattern might be desired that includes a 3×5 contraction balloon array for a particular segment of a catheter. This set of ports might be suitable when the segment is to have three lateral balloon orientations (M=3) and 5 contraction balloons aligned along each lateral orientation (N=5). In this example, the distal-most port 716 a of the set may be formed through the outer surface of the core into a first lumen 710 a, the next proximal port 716 b to lumen 710 b, the next port 716 c to lumen 710 c, so that the first 3 (M) balloons define an “a, b, c” pattern that will open into the three balloons that will eventually be on the distal-most helical loop of the set. The same pattern may be repeated 5 times (for example: a, b, c, a, b, c, a, b, c, a, b, c, a, b, c) for the 5 loops of the helical coil that will support all 15 contraction balloons of a segment to the fluid supply system such that the 5 contraction balloons along each orientation of the segment are in fluid communication with a common supply lumen. Where the segment will include expansion balloons mounted 1-to-1 in opposition to the contraction balloons, a separate multi-lumen core and associated balloon may have a similar port set; where the segment will include 2 expansion balloons mounted in opposition for each contraction balloon, two separate multi-lumen cores and may be provided, each having a similar port set.

If the same multi-lumen core supplies fluid to (and supports balloons of) another independent segment, another set of ports may be provided axially adjacent to the first pattern, with the ports of the second set being formed into an M′×N′ pattern that open into different lumens of the helical coil (for example, where M′=3 and N′=5: d, e, f, d, e, f, d, e, f, d, e, f, d, e, f), and so on for any additional segments. Note that the number of circumferential balloon orientations (M) will often be the same for different segments using a single core, but may be different in some cases. When M differs between different segments of the same core, the spacing between ports (and associated balloons mounted to the core) may also change. The number of axially aligned contraction balloons may also be different for different segments of the same helical core, but will often be the same. Note also that all the balloons (and associated fluid lumens) for a particular segment that are on a particular multi-lumen core will typically be either only extension or only contraction balloons (as the extension and contraction balloon arrays are disposed in helical spaces that may be at least partially separated by the preferred helical frame structures described below). A single, simple pattern of ports may be disposed near the proximal end of core shaft 702 to interface each lumen with an associated valve plate of the manifold, the ports here being sized to minimized pressure drop and the port-port spacing corresponding to the valve plate thickness. Regardless, the exemplary core shown has distal ports formed using groups of 5 holes (each having a diameter of 0.006″, centerline spacing within the group being 0.012″), with the groups being separated axially by about 0.103″.

Referring now to FIGS. 24C and 24D, a continuous tube of flexible balloon wall material 718 may be formed by periodically varying a diameter of tube wall material to form a series of balloon shapes 720 separated by smaller profile sealing zones 722. Balloon tube 718 may include between about 9 and about 290 regularly spaced balloon shapes 720, with the sealing zones typically having an inner diameter that is about equal to the outer diameters of the multi-lumen helical core shafts 702 described above. In some embodiments, the inner diameters of the sealing zones may be significantly larger than the outer diameters of the associated cores when the balloon tube is formed, and the diameters of the sealing zones may be decreased (such as by heat shrinking or axially pull-forming) before or during assembly of the balloon tube and core shaft. The sealing zone may have a length of between about 0.025″ and about 0.500″, often being between about 0.050″ and about 0.250″. Decreasing the length of the sealing zone allows the length of the balloon to be increased for a given catheter size so as to provide larger balloon/frame engagement interfaces (and thus greater articulation forces), while longer sealing zones may facilitate assembly and sealing between balloons so as to avoid cross-talk between articulation channels.

Referring still to FIGS. 24C and 24D, the balloon shapes 720 of the balloon tube 718 may have diameters that are larger than the diameters of the sealing zones by between about 10% and about 200%, more typically being larger by an amount in a range from about 20% to about 120%, and often being from about 40% to about 75%. The thickness of balloon tube 718 will often vary axially with the varying local diameter of the tube, the locally large diameter portions forming the balloon shapes optionally being in a range from about 0.00008′ (or about 2 microns) to about 0.005″, typically being from about 0.001″ and about 0.003″. Balloon tube 718 may initially be formed with a constant diameter and thickness, and the diameter may be locally expanded (by blow forming, by vacuum forming, by a combination of both blow forming and vacuum forming, or by otherwise processing the tube material along the balloon shapes 720), and/or the diameter of the balloon tube may be locally decreased (by heat shrinking, by axial pull-forming, by a combination of both heat shrinking and pull forming, or by otherwise processing the tube material along the sealing zones), with the tube material often being processed so as to both locally expand the diameter along the desired balloon shapes and to locally contract the diameter along the sealing zones. Particularly advantageous techniques for forming balloon tubes may include the use of extruded polymer tubing corrugators, including the vertical small bore corrugators commercially available from Unicore, Corma, Fraenkische, and others. Suitable custom molds for such pipe corrugators may be commercially available from GlobalMed, Custom Pipe, Fraenkische, and others. Still more advanced fabrication techniques may allow blow or vacuum corrugation using a robotic shuttle corrugator and custom molds, particularly when it is desirable to change a size or spacing of balloons along a continuous tube. It should be noted that while a single continuous balloon tube is shown, a plurality of balloon tubes (each having a plurality (or in some cases, at least one) balloon shape) can be sealingly mounted onto a single core. Regardless, the sealing zones will often have a material thickness that is greater than that of the balloon shapes.

The balloon shapes 720 of the balloon tube 718 may each have a relatively simple cylindrical center section prior to assembly as shown. The tapers between the balloon center sections and the sealing zones can take any of a variety of shapes. The tapers may, for example, be roughly conical, rounded, or squared, and will preferably be relatively short so as to allow greater balloon/frame engagement for a given landing zone length. More complex embodiments may also be provided, including forming the balloon shapes with curved cylindrical center sections, optionally while corrugating or undulating the surfaces of the tapers so that the balloon tube overall remains relatively straight. The lengths of each center section is typically sufficient to define an arc-angle of from 5 to 180 degrees about the axis of the desired balloon assembly helix, more typically being from about 10 to about 50 degrees, the lengths of the center sections often being in a range from about 0.010″ to about 0.400″ for medical applications, more typically being from about 0.020″ to about 0.150″, and many times being in a range from about 0.025″ to about 0.100″. The exemplary balloon shapes may have an outer diameter of about 0.051″ over a total balloon length (including the tapers) of about 0.059″

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 24C, 24D, 24E, and the axial view of FIG. 24E1, balloon tube 718 may be sealingly affixed to core 702, and the core/balloon tube assembly may then be formed into a desired helical shape. The balloon tube may be sealed over the helical core using adhesive (such as any of those described above, often including UV-cured adhesives) thermal bonding, laser bonding, die bonding, and/or the like. Sealing of the balloons may also benefit from a compression structure disposed over the balloon material to help maintain tube/core engagement when the balloons are inflated. Suitable compression structures or techniques may include short sections of heat-shrink materials (such as PET) shrunk onto the sealing zones, high-strength filament windings wrapped circumferentially around the sealing zones and adhesively bonded, swaging of metallic ring structures similar to marker bands over the sealing zones, small bore crimp clamps over the sealing zones, heat-shrinking and/or pull forming the balloon tube onto the core, or the like. Any two or more of these may also be combined, for example, with the balloon tube being adhesively bonded to the core tube by injecting adhesive into the balloon tube around the sealing zone, heat shrinking the balloon tube and a surrounding PET sleeve over the sealing zone, and then swaging a metallic marker band over the sealing PET sleeve (so that the sleeve provides strain relief). Regardless, ports 716 will preferably be disposed within corresponding balloon shapes 720 and will remain open after the balloon/core assembly 730 is sealed together in the straight configuration shown in FIG. 24D. Shape setting of the balloon/core assembly from the straight configuration to the helically curved configuration of FIG. 24E can be performed by wrapping the assembly around and/or within a mandrel and heating the wrapped assembly. Helical channels may be included in the mandrel, which may also have discrete balloon receptacles or features to help ensure alignment of sets of balloons along the desired lateral balloon axes. Regardless, shape setting of the core/balloon assembly can help set the M different lateral orientations of the balloons, so that the balloons of each set 720 i, 720 ii, 720 iii are aligned.

Referring to FIG. 24E-2, an alternative balloon tube 718′ has a plurality of pre-curved balloon shapes 720′ coupled together by sealing zones 722 to facilitate forming and/or keeping the balloon/core assembly in a helical configuration. The overall configuration of alternative balloon tube 718′ is straight, and it may be beneficial to provide asymmetric corrugated transitions 725 between pre-curved balloon shapes 720′ and sealing zones 722. Corrugated transitions 725 may have a form analogous to that of a corrugated straw along at least an outer radial portion of the helix, and the balloon shapes may optionally have corrugations along this outer portion instead of or in addition to the pre-curvature shown schematically here. The balloon shapes, transitions, and sealing zones may be formed by blow molding within machined or printed tooling using medical balloon blowing techniques, by blow molding with the moving tooling of a corrugation system, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 24F and 24G, exemplary inner and outer helical C-channel frames, 732 and 734 respectively, can be seen. Inner helical frame 732 and outer helical frame 734 incorporate the modified C-channel frame 680 of FIG. 17, but with the C-channels defined by axially continuous helical walls 736 with flanges 740 along their proximal and distal helical edges. The helical flanges are axially engaged by opposed balloons and allow inflation of the balloons to locally axially contract and/or extend the skeleton and catheter (or other articulatable body) in a manner that is analogous to the annular flanges of the ring frames described above. An optional helical nub 742 protrudes axially into the channel of inner ring frame 734 to allow the frames to pivot against each other along a flange/flange engagement, so that the nub could instead be included on the flange of the outer frame or on both (or may comprise a separate structure that is axially sandwiched between the flanges of the two frames). Alternative embodiments may forego such a pivotal structure altogether.

Referring now to FIG. 24F and FIG. 24G, the skeleton may comprise at least one helical member 741, 741′ (see also FIG. 13). The walls may comprise helical walls, and the flanges may comprise helical flanges affixed to the helical walls, the helical member(s) (including the walls and flanges) defining a plurality of helical loops. The loops may be axially movable relative to each other. Each loop may have an associated wall with a proximal loop edge 743, 743′ and a distal loop edge 745, 745′, the wall being affixed to an associated first flange at the proximal loop edge and to an associated distal flange at the distal loop edge, the first and second flanges being included among the proximal and distal flanges.

Referring now to FIGS. 25A-25D, a segment of an exemplary flexible extension/contraction helical frame articulation structure 750 (sometimes referred to herein as a push/pull helical structure) incorporates the components of FIGS. 24A-24G, and provides the functionality of the annular extension/contraction frame embodiments of FIGS. 18-22I. Push/pull structure includes a skeleton defined by inner and outer helical frames 732, 734, and also includes three balloon/core assemblies 730 a, 730 b, and 730 c, respectively. Each balloon/core assembly includes a set of balloons at three lateral orientations, 720 i, 720 ii, and 720 iii. Balloon/core assembly 730 b extends along a helical space that is axially between a flange of the inner frame and a flange of the outer frame, and that is radially between a wall of the inner frame and a wall of the outer frame, so that the frames overlap along this balloon/core assembly. Hence, when balloons 720 of balloon/core assembly 730 inflate, they push the adjacent flanges apart and increase the overlap of the frames, inducing axial contraction of the skeleton, such that the balloons of this assembly function as contraction balloons. In contrast, balloon/core assemblies 730 a and 730 c are radially adjacent to only inner frame 732 (in the case of assembly 730 a) or outer frame 734 (in the case of assembly 730 b). Expansion of the balloons 720 of assemblies 730 a, 730 c pushes axially against frames so as to decrease the overlap of the frames, and acts in opposition to the inflation of balloons 720 of assembly 730 b. Hence, balloons 720 of assemblies 730 a, 730 c function as extension balloons.

Referring now to FIGS. 25A-25C, when all the contraction balloons 720 of assembly 730 b are inflated and all the extension balloons of assemblies 730 a, 730 c are deflated, the push/pull structure 750 is in a straight short configuration as shown in FIG. 25A. Even partial inflation of the extension balloons and even partial deflation of the contraction balloons articulates push/pull structure 750 to a straight intermediate length configuration, and full inflation of all extension balloons of assemblies 730 a, 730 c (along with deflation of the contraction balloons) fully axially elongates the structure. As with the ring push/pull frames, inflating contraction balloons 720 ii along one lateral orientation of assembly 730 b (with corresponding deflation of the extension balloons 720 ii of assemblies 730 a, 730 b) locally decreases the axial length of the skeleton along that side, while selective deflation of contraction balloons 720 i of assembly 730 b (with corresponding inflation of extension balloons 720 i of assemblies 730 a and 730 c) locally increases the length of the skeleton, resulting in the fully laterally bent configuration of FIG. 25E. Note that extension and contraction balloons along the 720 iii orientation may be inflated and deflated with the extension and contraction orientation balloons of orientation 720 ii so as to keep the curvature in the plane of the drawing as shown. Stiffness of the structure may be modulated uniformly or locally (with axial and/or orientation variations) as described above regarding the ring frame embodiments. Similarly, the number of extension and contraction balloons along each orientation (which will often be associated with the number of loops of assemblies 730 a, 730 b, etc) may be determined to provide the desired range of motion, resolution, and response. As described with reference to the push/pull ring frame embodiments, the overall articulated portion of the structure will often be separated into a plurality of independently controllable segments.

Referring now to FIG. 25F, push/pull structure 750 will often include an outer flexible sheath 752 and an inner flexible sheath 754. Sheaths 752, 754 may be sealed together at a distal seal 756 distal of the inflation lumens and balloons of assemblies 730, and one or more proximal seal (not shown) may be provided proximal of the balloons and/or near a proximal end of the catheter structure, so as to provide a sealed volume surrounding the articulation balloons. A vacuum can be applied to this sealed volume, and can be monitored to verify that no leaks are present in the balloons or inflation lumen system within a patient body.

Referring now to FIGS. 26A and 26B, an alternative push/pull structure omits one of the two extension balloon assemblies 730 a, 730 c, and uses a 1-to-1 extension/contraction balloon opposition arrangement as described above with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B. Note that this embodiment retains balloon assembly 730 c that is radially adjacent to outer frame 734 (so that no balloons are visible even with the sheath removed). Alternative embodiments may retain assembly 730 a and forego assembly 730 c (so that balloons could be seen through a clear sheath, for example).

Referring now to FIG. 27, short segments of alternative core structures are shown for comparison. Core shaft 702 has an outer diameter of about 0.028″ and 7 lumens, with 6 peripheral lumens having an inner diameter of about 0.004″ readily available for formation associated ports and use in transmitting inflation fluid to and from balloons. A central lumen might be used, for example, in monitoring of the vacuum system to verify integrity of the system. Core shaft 702 can be used, for example, in a 14-15 Fr catheter system having two segments that are each capable of providing up to 120 degrees of bending (or alternatively more or less depending on the number of balloons ganged together on each channel), with such a system optionally capable of providing a bend radius sufficient for to fit a 180 degree bend of the catheter within a space of 3 inches or less, ideally within 2½ inches or less, and in some cases within 2 inches or less. Such a system may be beneficial for structural heart therapies, for example, and particularly for mitral valve delivery, positioning, and/or implantation.

Referring still to FIG. 27, other therapies may benefit from smaller catheter profiles, and do not need the bending forces available from a 15 Fr catheter. Electrophysilogy therapies such as AFib ablation from within an atrium of the heart may be good examples of therapies which would benefit from the degrees of freedom that can be provided in small structures using the systems described herein. Scaling the 15 Fr system down for a 7-8 Fr ablation catheter might make use of a directly scaled core 762 having half the overall outer diameter and half the lumen inner diameter of core 702, as the pressure-containing stresses in the material would scale with the lumen diameters. However, there may be cost benefits to maintaining minimum lumen wall thicknesses that are above 0.002″, preferably at or above 0.0025″, and ideally at or above about 0.003″. Toward that end, and to provide 6 contraction or extension lumens for two 3D push/pull segments along a common helical core along with a desirably small bend radius, it may be beneficial to use radially elongate core 764 having 6 lumens that are all surrounded by at least 0.003″ of material. Core 764 has an axial height of half of core 702 and a radial width of that is less than half the balloon diameter of the 14-15 Fr system. There may be benefits to having the radial (elongate) dimension of the cross-section being less than the inflated inner diameter of the balloons mounted thereon, to inhibit trapping of inflation fluid on one axial side of the balloon (away from the inflation port).

Still further advantages may be provided by applying the smaller lumen and wall thickness dimensions of 7 Fr core 762 to a 15 Fr catheter core size, as it results in the 12 inflation lumen core 766. The large 13^(th) lumen of this embodiment may help enhance flexibility of the segments, and can again be used to monitor system integrity using a vacuum system. The 12 lumens may allow, for example, a continuous push/pull structure to have 4 independently controllable 3D shape (4D shape+stiffness) segments. A 16 inflation lumen core 768 combines the smaller lumen and wall thickness with a radially elongate cross-section, allowing 5 independently controllable 3D segments. It should be understood that still further numbers of lumens at smaller profiles are possible using known and relatively low cost multilumen extrusion techniques.

Referring now to FIGS. 28-38, a number of modifications are shown to the inner and outer helical frame structures described above, along with some associated components that may help maintain component alignment within the catheter assemblies. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, radial cuts 1970 or slots may be made in the web of an inner helical frame 1972, with the cuts optionally extending axially and being formed at three locations separated by about 120 degrees about the frame axis, so that the cuts can be positioned between balloons of the assembly. The cuts may extend through the web between flanges, and optionally along an adjacent inner radial portion of the flanges. Sliding adjacent the opposed cut surfaces may facilitate local axial translation of arc-segments of the inner frame between cuts in response to balloon actuation, and thereby enhance axial bending and/or elongation of the overall catheter frame.

Referring now to FIGS. 30-36, alternative inner and outer helical frame structures 1974, 1978, respectively, both have open regions 1976 that can be formed, for example, by cutting and removing material from the webs and adjacent flanges of each loop in 3 places, spaced about 120 degrees apart, with the openings ideally being axially aligned with openings on adjacent loops. The openings may have a circumferential width in a range from about 0.005″ to about 0.030″, and may extend radially along the adjacent flanges for a distance in a range from about 0.010″ to about 0.030.″ Flexing of the flanges adjacent the openings may facilitate local axial translation of the helical frame segments between openings, and hence axial bending and/or elongation of the overall frame. The radial openings in the frames may also be used to help promote axial alignment of balloon subsets. More generally, it may be advantageous to have structures or features disposed along the helical frames described herein to help promote axial alignment of subsets of balloons, such as sets 1980 a, 1980 b, 1980 c. Discrete features may be affixed to some or all of the loops (such as by additive manufacturing or 3-D printing onto the extruded frame structures) with the features having surfaces that are disposed between and will engage against the ends of some or all of the balloons. Alternatively, an inner and/or outer sheath 1984, 1986 may have a radially protruding surface that can extend radially through the openings 1976 in the inner frame 1974, outer frame 1978, or both. The extending of openings 1976 along the web and a radial portion of the flange may allow the protruding surfaces of the sheath(s) to extend continuously between frame arc segments, keeping the frame segments in axial alignment. Similarly, the protruding surfaces may engage any balloon ends if they begin to move out of alignment with their subset. Note that one or more protruding feature in one of the sheaths may be sufficient, and that the balloons may be angled on the balloon assemblies (e.g., see angled balloons 1988 on the balloon assembly of FIG. 35) so as to promote axial movement of the frame segments and/or provide circumferentially oriented ends that more evenly engage the protruding radial alignment surfaces of the sheath(s), as can be understood with reference to the somewhat axially angled balloon ends 1982 of FIG. 36. Optionally, the pitch angles of the flanges may vary circumferentially, for example, with the flanges along the cut sections having a greater pitch angle (measured from a lateral plane) than the flanges between cuts. The balloons being disposed at an angle along the multi-lumen shaft may help limit circumferential loads to the frames while enhancing axial loads against the flanges.

Referring now to FIGS. 37 and 38, a still further alternative helical inner frame structure 1990 may have edge channels or cuts 1992. By, for example, cutting and removing material from the flanges and adjacent webs in 3 places on each loop (120 degrees apart), flexibility of the frame may be greatly enhanced. The removed material may have a circumferential width at the flange/web junction of 0.005-0.030″, and may extend radialy along the full radial length of the flanges. Flexing of the web by balloons disposed between removed flange regions may facilitate local axial translation of frame segments between flanges and axial bending of overall frame. Shape of material removed from web may be “V” (with straight cuts, as shown), “C” (with curved cuts, optionally being drilled), “U” (with straight and curved cuts), or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 39A-39D, alternative ring frame structures 1402, 1404 include axial openings in the flanges of the inner and outer frame rings (in FIG. 39B), and optional slots traversing the web of the inner or outer frame between openings (see FIG. 39C). A helical balloon coil has a series of balloons formed using a continuous balloon tube sealed over a multi-lumen shaft as described above, with the assembly here having helical coils formed from perpendicular (or near perpendicular) loops connected together by axially angled sections between loops. The balloons along each loop may be mounted so that the group is at an angle relative to the multi-lumen shaft so that the balloons may remain circumferentially aligned between a pair of flanges while the shaft angles slightly axially. Regardless, the balloon assembly can be wrapped around the frames and the frames assembled together using the axial apertures. Hence, the helical balloon assemblies described herein can be assembled with the ring frame structures as well as the helical frames. Optionally, an inner or outer sheath 1406 may have a radial protrusion that can extend into the slot in the ring frames to maintain axial alignment of the ring frames and balloons. A channel in the radial protrusion may also accommodate a multi-lumen shaft that can be used to articulate a more distal segment, as shown in FIG. 39D.

It should be understood that still further alternative embodiments may take advantage of the beneficial components and assemblies described herein. For example, as can be understood from the disclosure above regarding many of the flexible structures of FIGS. 3-12, inflation of a balloon may be resiliently opposed by a helical spring or other biasing structure so that the spring deflates the balloon and urges a flexible body back toward a pre-balloon-inflation state when the inflation fluid is released from the balloon. Rather than relying on 6 dedicated opposed expansion and contraction balloon channels for each segment (providing independent contraction and expansion along each lateral orientation) in the push/pull ring frame and push/pull helical frame embodiments described above, two or more of the channels (from the same segments or from different segments) may be grouped together to act as a common baising structure or fluid spring. As an example, all the contraction balloons along two adjacent segments might open to a single lumen that is inflated to less than full pressure. Modulating pressure to the different sets of extension balloons may still allow the extension balloons to articulate each segment with three independent degrees of freedom, as the grouped contraction balloons could selectively be overpowered by the extension balloons (like the coil springs) or may be allowed to deflate the extension balloons. In some embodiments, rather than relying on partial pressure of extension or contraction balloons, an elastomeric material may be mounted over the core of some or all of the extension or contraction balloons of a segment so as to passively oppose a set of the balloons.

While the exemplary embodiment have been described in some detail for clarity of understanding and by way of example, a variety of modifications, changes, and adaptations of the structures and methods described herein will be obvious to those of skill in the art. Hence, the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the claims attached hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An articulable catheter comprising: a skeleton having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis therebetween, the skeleton including an inner wall and an outer wall with a first flange affixed to the inner wall and a second flange affixed to the outer wall, opposed major surfaces of the inner wall and the outer wall being oriented primarily radially and opposed major surfaces of the first flange and the second flange being oriented primarily axially; and a plurality of axial contraction balloons disposed radially between the inner wall and the outer wall and axially between the first flange and the second flange so that, in use, inflation of the contraction balloons pushes the first and second flanges axially apart so as to urge an axial overlap of the inner and outer walls to increase, such that the skeleton adjacent the plurality of axial contraction balloons is urged to axially contract.
 2. The articulable catheter of claim 1, wherein the skeleton comprises a plurality of annular structures including a plurality of inner rings having the inner walls and a plurality of outer rings having the outer walls, wherein the first and second flanges comprise annular flanges affixed to the inner walls and the outer walls, the annular structures being axially movable relative to each other.
 3. The articulable catheter of claim 1, wherein the skeleton comprises at least one helical member, wherein the walls comprise helical walls, and wherein the first flange and the second flange comprise helical flanges affixed to the helical walls, the at least one helical member-including the helical walls and the helical flanges and defining a plurality of helical loops, the plurality of helical loops being axially movable relative to each other.
 4. The articulable catheter of claim 3, wherein each helical loop of the plurality of helical loops has an associated wall with a proximal loop edge and a distal loop edge, the associated wall being affixed to an associated proximal flange at the proximal loop edge and to an associated distal flange at the distal loop edge, the first and second flanges being included among the proximal and distal flanges.
 5. The articulable catheter of claim 3, wherein the helical member has openings extending radially through the walls or axially through the flanges or both, the openings being disposed circumferentially between circumferentially adjacent balloons and enhancing axial flexibility of the skeleton.
 6. The articulable catheter of claim 1, wherein the skeleton comprises a plurality of flanges including the first flange, the second flange, and a third flange, two of the flanges comprising adjacent flanges without another of the flanges therebetween, further comprising a plurality of axial extension balloons disposed axially between adjacent flanges of the skeleton, only one of the inner wall or the outer wall of the skeleton being disposed radially of the plurality of axial extension balloons so that, in use, expansion of the extension balloons pushes the adjacent flanges axially apart so as to urge the skeleton adjacent the inflated extension balloons to locally elongate axially.
 7. The articulable catheter of claim 6, wherein the extension balloons and the plurality of axial contraction balloons are mounted in opposition so that inflation of the plurality of axial extension balloons and deflation of the plurality of axial contraction balloons locally axially elongates the skeleton and so that deflation of the plurality of axial extension balloons and inflation of the plurality of axial contraction balloons locally axially contracts the skeleton.
 8. The articulable catheter of claim 6, wherein the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons are distributed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the articulatable catheter so that selective inflation of a first eccentric subset of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons and selective deflation of a second eccentric subset of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons laterally deflects the axis toward a first lateral orientation, and selective deflation of the first eccentric subset of the balloons and selective inflation of the second eccentric subset of the balloons laterally deflects the axis away from the first lateral orientation.
 9. The articulable catheter of claim 6, wherein the balloons are distributed axially along a longitudinal axis of the articulatable catheter so that selective inflation of a third eccentric subset of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons and selective deflation of a fourth eccentric subset of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons laterally deflects the axis along a first axial segment of the skeleton, and selective deflation of a fifth eccentric subset of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons and selective inflation of a sixth eccentric subset of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons laterally deflects the axis along a second axial segment of the skeleton, the second axial segment being axially offset from the first axial segment.
 10. The articulable catheter of claim 1, wherein a first plurality of the contraction balloons has outer surfaces defined by a shared flexible tube, wherein a multi-lumen shaft is disposed within the flexible tube with radial ports extending between interiors of the contraction balloons and a plurality of lumens of the multi-lumen shaft so as to facilitate inflation of selectable subsets of the contraction balloons by directing fluid along a subset of the lumens.
 11. An articulable catheter according to claim 1, wherein an array of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons is mounted on an extruded multi-lumen helical core, and wherein each of the contraction balloons and each of the extension balloons has an associated port from an outer surface of the extruded multi-lumen helical core to an associated lumen of the extruded multi-lumen helical core, a plurality of the plurality of contraction balloons and the plurality of extension balloons being aligned along a common lateral orientation and being in fluid communication with a first lumen of the extruded multi-lumen helical core via the associated ports. 